In short,
- Orthopedic specialists provide comprehensive osteoarthritis diagnosis and treatment.
- Effective management combines medication, physical therapy, and advanced interventions.
- Personalized treatment plans address individual symptoms and functional goals.
Understanding Osteoarthritis and Specialized Care
Finding doctors who specialize in osteoarthritis is essential for managing this progressive joint condition effectively. Osteoarthritis occurs when protective cartilage cushioning the ends of bones gradually deteriorates, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility in affected joints. As the most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis affects millions of adults, with prevalence increasing with age.
Specialized orthopedic care provides comprehensive diagnosis, personalized treatment planning, and ongoing management to preserve joint function and maintain quality of life. Understanding which medical professionals treat osteoarthritis and what treatment options they offer helps you make informed decisions about your care.
Types of Doctors Who Treat Osteoarthritis
Several providers possess expertise in diagnosing and treating osteoarthritis, each bringing unique skills to your care team.
Orthopedic Surgeons
Orthopedic surgeons specialize in the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. These physicians diagnose osteoarthritis, develop comprehensive treatment plans, and perform surgical interventions when conservative treatments no longer provide adequate relief.
Board-certified orthopedic surgeons complete extensive training in both surgical and non-surgical management of joint conditions.
Rheumatologists
Rheumatologists focus on arthritis and other autoimmune and inflammatory conditions affecting joints and soft tissues. While rheumatologists primarily treat inflammatory arthritis types, they also manage osteoarthritis, particularly when the diagnosis is complex or multiple joint conditions coexist.
Physical Therapists
Physical therapists play a vital role in managing osteoarthritis by helping patients improve mobility, reduce pain, and strengthen the muscles around affected joints. They design personalized exercise programs and teach techniques to enhance joint function and overall quality of life.
While not medical doctors, they are essential members of the care team for osteoarthritis treatment.
What Causes Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis develops through multiple mechanisms, with age representing the most significant risk factor. Cartilage naturally deteriorates over time as joint wear accumulates through years of use. Genetic factors influence cartilage composition and joint structure, predisposing some individuals to earlier or more severe osteoarthritis development.
Previous joint injuries, including fractures, ligament tears, and dislocations, damage cartilage and alter joint mechanics, accelerating osteoarthritis development. Obesity places excessive stress on weight-bearing joints, particularly knees and hips, speeding cartilage breakdown. Repetitive occupational or recreational activities that stress specific joints increase osteoarthritis risk in those areas.
Certain medical conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, metabolic disorders, and congenital joint abnormalities, elevate osteoarthritis risk. Understanding these risk factors helps identify individuals who would benefit from preventive strategies and early intervention.
Recognizing Osteoarthritis Symptoms
Osteoarthritis symptoms typically develop gradually and worsen over time. Joint pain that intensifies with activity and improves with rest represents the hallmark symptom. Morning stiffness or stiffness after prolonged sitting typically lasts less than 30 minutes, distinguishing osteoarthritis from inflammatory arthritis types.
Affected joints may appear swollen and feel tender to the touch. Reduced range of motion limits your ability to fully bend or straighten the joint. Crepitus, a grating or popping sensation during movement, occurs as roughened cartilage surfaces rub together.
As osteoarthritis progresses, bone spurs may develop around joint margins, sometimes causing visible enlargement. Advanced osteoarthritis can cause joint instability, making the joint feel like it might give way. These symptoms significantly impact daily activities, work productivity, and overall quality of life.
How Osteoarthritis Is Diagnosed
A comprehensive osteoarthritis diagnosis begins with a detailed medical history and physical examination. Doctors who specialize in osteoarthritis assess pain patterns, functional limitations, and how symptoms affect daily life.
- Physical examination evaluates joint tenderness, swelling, range of motion, crepitus, and stability.
- X-rays reveal characteristic osteoarthritis changes, including joint space narrowing as cartilage deteriorates, bone spurs along joint margins, and increased bone density beneath damaged cartilage. While X-rays don’t visualize cartilage directly, they show the consequences of cartilage loss.
- MRI scans provide detailed images of cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and surrounding soft tissues. This advanced imaging detects early cartilage damage before X-ray changes appear and helps identify other conditions contributing to symptoms.
- Joint aspiration may be performed when infection or inflammatory arthritis must be ruled out. Analyzing joint fluid helps distinguish osteoarthritis from other conditions that cause similar symptoms.
Conservative Treatment Approaches
Most patients with osteoarthritis benefit from conservative management strategies that reduce pain and preserve function without surgery.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy represents a cornerstone of osteoarthritis management. Therapeutic exercises strengthen muscles supporting affected joints, improving stability and reducing stress on damaged cartilage. Range of motion exercises maintain joint flexibility and prevent contractures. Low-impact aerobic activities improve cardiovascular health and help maintain a healthy weight.
Manual therapy techniques reduce pain and improve joint mobility. Physical therapists also provide education on joint protection strategies and proper body mechanics during daily activities.
Weight Management
Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight significantly reduces stress on weight-bearing joints. Even modest weight loss provides meaningful symptom improvement and slows osteoarthritis progression in knees and hips.
Medications
Over-the-counter pain relievers, including acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen, provide relief for mild to moderate pain. Topical NSAIDs applied directly to affected joints offer pain relief with fewer systemic side effects than oral medications.
Prescription medications may be necessary when over-the-counter options prove insufficient. Your physician will recommend appropriate medications based on pain severity, other health conditions, and potential medication interactions.
Advanced Treatment Options
When conservative measures don’t provide adequate relief, several advanced interventions can help manage osteoarthritis symptoms.
Corticosteroid Injections
Intra-articular corticosteroid injections deliver powerful anti-inflammatory medication directly into affected joints. These injections provide temporary pain relief, typically lasting several weeks to months. While effective for acute symptom flares, repeated corticosteroid injections may have limitations.
Hyaluronic Acid Injections
Hyaluronic acid injections supplement the natural lubricating fluid in joints. This viscosupplementation therapy may reduce pain and improve function, particularly in knee osteoarthritis. Treatment typically involves a series of injections administered over several weeks.
Plasma Rich Platelet Therapy for Knees
Plasma-rich platelet therapy for knees involves concentrating platelets from your own blood and injecting them into the affected joint. Platelets contain growth factors that may promote healing, reduce inflammation, and improve cartilage health. This approach shows promise for managing knee osteoarthritis, though research continues evaluating its long-term effectiveness.
Surgical Interventions
Surgical treatment becomes appropriate when conservative management no longer controls symptoms or when joint damage severely limits function and quality of life.
Arthroscopy
Arthroscopic surgery uses small incisions and specialized instruments to remove loose cartilage fragments, smooth rough cartilage surfaces, or repair torn meniscus. This minimally invasive approach offers faster recovery than open surgery.
Osteotomy
Osteotomy involves cutting and realigning bone to shift weight away from damaged cartilage areas. This procedure can delay the need for joint replacement in younger, active patients with osteoarthritis affecting only one side of the knee.
Joint Replacement
Total or partial joint replacement removes damaged cartilage and bone, replacing them with artificial components made of metal, plastic, or ceramic materials. Hip and knee replacements are among the most successful surgical procedures, reliably reducing pain and restoring function.
Joint replacement typically provides lasting relief for patients with advanced osteoarthritis.
Lifestyle Modifications for Osteoarthritis Management
Strategic lifestyle changes support medical treatment and help manage osteoarthritis symptoms effectively.
Engage in regular low-impact exercise including walking, swimming, cycling, or water aerobics. These activities maintain joint flexibility, strengthen supporting muscles, and promote cardiovascular health without excessive joint stress.
Use assistive devices like canes, walkers, or braces when needed to reduce joint stress and improve stability. Ergonomic tools and adaptive equipment make daily tasks easier and protect joints from unnecessary strain.
Apply heat or cold therapy to manage symptoms. Heat relaxes muscles and improves flexibility before activity, while cold reduces inflammation and pain after activity.
Expert Doctors Who Specialize in Osteoarthritis in South Florida
If you’re seeking doctors who specialize in osteoarthritis, Total Orthopaedic Care provides comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services. Our orthopedic specialists at Adult & Pediatric Orthopaedics & Physical Therapy develop personalized management plans addressing your unique symptoms, lifestyle, and goals, helping you maintain active, fulfilling lives despite osteoarthritis.
Call Total Orthopaedic Care today at (954) 735-3535 or schedule your consultation online with our experienced orthopedic team. For your convenience, we are pleased to offer two separate locations to serve your needs. We also provide same-day appointments to ensure immediate attention for any acute or new injuries.
