“What can an orthopedic doctor do for arthritis?”

If it’s getting worse, you can get joint injections to control your pain. If it’s too bad, orthopedic surgeons recommend knee replacement. Most important is to keep & maintain a healthy weight.

First you would need an evaluation with knee x-rays to look for any changes consistent with osteoarthritis/degenerative arthritis. If confirmed need weight loss if overweight , physical therapy, muscle strengthening exercises for the muscles around the knees like quadriceps strengthening. Walking is very important, a body in motion stays in motion. For bone on bone osteoarthritis a knee replacement is indicated and usually not done till you are in mid sixties unless there are compelling reasons an orthopedic surgeon wants to do it at a younger age. First all conservative measures should be exhausted prior to a knee replacement surgery. Your primary care physician can treat your knee osteoarthritis.

It all depends on how bad or advanced is the arthritis and which joint are we looking at. Joint replacement is the usual approach in severely damaged joints such as knee and hip. For not so severe arthritis, the Orthopedist can inject depo corticosteroids mixed with lidocaine or a gel that is similar to the substance cartilage is made of. Mild arthritis is usually treated with pain medications and physical therapy only.

Surgery and injections and braces, walkers, canes and physical therapy.