Upcoming Scheduled Maintenance
Access to patient portal records will be limited starting at 5:30AM PST to 4PM PST on the 13th of March.
Degenerative joint and bone disease is another name for osteoarthritis. It is a chronic process of wear and tear on the joint that worsens with time. The condition affects about 27 million Americans, making it the most common form of arthritis. It can occur in any joint, but most commonly appears in the knees, hips, lower back, neck, and small joints of the fingers.
Seeing your doctor early, when symptoms first start, can help slow the progression of osteoarthritis. At Dignity Health, we help patients with all ranges of symptoms receive reliable treatment for degenerative bone and joint disease in Arizona. Find a Doctor or call (877) 914-1670 to receive a consultation about your orthopedic needs.
In osteoarthritis, the cartilage covering the bones in the joint gradually erodes. Without this smooth buffer, bones can rub directly against each other and cause pain and swelling. The pain tends to be dull and achy. It develops slowly. The pain usually feels worse in the morning or with inactivity.
Other signs include joint stiffness, limited range of motion, and a bump or deformity of the joint. You may also have a creaking or grinding of the joint when you move it.
Certain risk factors such as aging, make you more likely to develop osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis can start in middle age, but it is most common in people older than 65. Other risk factors include:
Your treatment of degenerative bone disease will typically start with nonsurgical strategies. Your doctor at Dignity Health will likely recommend anti-inflammatory medicines, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes such as modifying activities and losing weight. The goal of treatment will be to slow the joint degeneration and help you continue to do the activities you love.
Surgery may be necessary if these treatments fail to relieve your symptoms. The type of surgery will depend on the specific joint involved, the extent of joint damage, and your age and activity level. Options range from arthroscopic (minimally invasive) repairs to total joint replacements. Our board-certified orthopedic surgeons specialize a range of surgeries and joint replacements.
Dignity Health offers extensive care for patients with degenerative joint and bone disease in Arizona.
