Our Specialties Include
- Spinal and Orthopaedic Surgery
- Brain / Neurosurgery
- Intracranial Disease Alternatives
- Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
- Pain Management Services
- Joint Replacement
- Gender Knee Replacements
- Artificial Disc Replacement
- Kyphoplasty
- Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Programs
- Sports Medicine Specialists
Osteoarthritis Treatment on the North Shore
Serving Slidell, Covington & Mandeville
The NORTH Institute develops treatment options specific to each patient that are aimed at reducing the pain and stiffness associated with osteoarthritis. Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor may suggest a number of different solutions.
Noninvasive measures of treatment are always preferred. Initially your doctor may suggest making certain lifestyle changes, including regular exercise, weight control and activity modification to avoid placing excessive stress on your joints. Other solutions include physical therapy, acetaminophen, NSAIDs, or corticosteroid injections.
If you have a severe case of arthritis, your doctor may discuss the possibility of a surgical intervention.
Common Treatments for Osteoarthritis
- OTC Pain Medication – aceitaminophen, Tylenol, NSAIDs or topical pain-relieving creams
- Prescription Medications – NSAIDs or COX-2 inhibitors such as Celebrex
- Corticosteroid injections – injections into the joint will temporarily relieve pain and reduce inflammation and swelling
- Surgery – should only be considered if noninvasive measure have failed to relieve pain
How Bones Repair Themselves
Each time you take a step you put immense pressure on your knee and hip joints. Joint cartilage helps absorb the impact, which is approximately three to four times greater than your body weight. The joint first compresses then releases, allowing water and synovial fluid to lubricate the cartilage and joint. The fluid running through the joint helps promote your bone’s self-repair mechanism.
Stay Active to Fight Osteoarthritis
Each step your take both lubricates your joint and helps lessen pain. By staying active you encourage healthy joints that heal themselves. Keeping your weight down through regular exercise also helps improve joint health. By shedding excess weight and building muscle, you can reduce the amount of stress put on your cartilage and joints.
Exercise can also be immensely painful if you are already dealing with osteoarthritis or generic joint pain. The board-certified physiatrists and orthopaedic surgeons at The NORTH Institute can help diagnose the issue and recommend a plan for recovery.
Dr. Michael Braxton is a board-certified physiatrist who treats conditions that cause pain or limit function. Dr. Michael Braxton and the physical therapists at The NORTH Institute in Lacombe and Bogalusa provide a full spectrum of nonsurgical care to restore maximum health and quality of life.
Lacombe & Bogalusa Offices
The NORTH Institute has offices in both Lacombe and Bogalusa, and proudly services the entire North Shore, including Covington, Mandeville, & Slidell.
Last Modified: December 28, 2010