Women's Health
Discover how Main Line Health provides comprehensive and compassionate care for women in all stages of life.
Osteoarthritis
What is osteoarthritis?
Your body is composed of more than 200 bones. On the ends of each of these bones is a smooth tissue called cartilage. Cartilage helps your bones slide past each other when you move.
As the years pass and you live an active life, cartilage can start to become thin and wear out. When it becomes too thin, your bones rub together, which is painful and can cause your joints to swell. This condition is called osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is extremely common, affecting millions of Americans each year. You are more likely to get it if you are overweight, are a woman or if you are older than 65. Jobs that cause stress on your joints, such as those that require you to stand, walk or lift items frequently, can also put you at an increased risk for osteoarthritis.
Treatments
When you are diagnosed with osteoarthritis, the experts at Main Line Health will work with you to improve how well your joints work, reduce your pain and help you stay active. Treatment options include:
- Pain relievers – Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can keep your joints from aching. Talk to your doctor about how many pills you can take per day to find relief.
- Lifestyle changes – Some simple lifestyle changes can go a long way in helping your joints. Losing even a few pounds can lighten the load on your knees. Exercise to strengthen your muscles and increase flexibility can also help you move easier with less pain.
- Joint injections – Your doctor can inject pain-relieving medicine directly into your joint or add a special type of fluid to your joint that helps it move more smoothly. These injections need to be repeated every couple of months to offer relief.
- Joint replacement surgery – If none of the other options work, a surgeon may be able to replace your affected joint with a joint made of metal and plastic. These artificial joints can last a long time. Though surgery is serious, you can expect to be moving normally and pain-free within weeks of your procedure.
Physical Therapy
Each inpatient and outpatient physical therapy rehab is individually designed and administered by a licensed physical therapist who consistently guides you from that first visit all the way through recovery.
Viscosupplementation for Treatment of Arthritis
The idea behind viscosupplementation is to lubricate the cartilage that protects bones and keeps them from rubbing against each other.
Nutrition
Meet Main Line Health’s dietitians to learn how you can eat well for life and potentially prevent adverse health conditions through changes in your diet.
Rheumatology
Rheumatic conditions can significantly impact your daily life. Our experts are here for you every step of the way. Our rheumatologists have years of experience, treating all musculoskeletal and autoimmune diseases with compassionate and personalized care.
Senior Health (Geriatric Medicine)
Main Line Health experts provide specialized care so adults of all ages can maintain their independence and live life to the fullest.