Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent type of arthritis in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), osteoarthritis affects around 32.5 million U.S. adults. OA can cause symptoms that range from mild to severe and can significantly impact your quality of life.

If you struggle with mild or debilitating symptoms of osteoarthritis, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Texas Vein & Wellness Institute. We are a leading provider of osteoarthritis care in Houston, Texas, and the surrounding areas. Our board-certified physicians aim to help you manage osteoarthritis symptoms and improve your quality of life with our minimally invasive osteoarthritis treatment methods.

What Is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that causes the tissues surrounding the joints to break down over time. Osteoarthritis can affect several joints in the body, including your hands, knees, ankles, hips, neck and spine.

Common Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis symptoms vary depending on the severity of the condition. You might experience mild, intermittent joint pain to persistent pain that inhibits regular physical activity. If you suspect you might have or be at risk of developing osteoarthritis, monitor yourself for the following symptoms:

Pain in the joints during or after physical activity
Joint swelling, stiffness or tenderness
Decreased range of motion and flexibility in the joints
Bone spurs around the affected joints
A grinding sound or sensation during movement

Common Causes of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage surrounding the bones wears away. Cartilage is a soft, connective tissue that acts as a buffer between joints, reducing friction and cushioning impact during movement.

When this cartilage wears down, your bones rub together. This friction results in osteoarthritis, which is characterized by joint inflammation, tenderness and pain.

Those who are more at risk of joint cartilage loss often possess one or more of the following characteristics:

Overweight or obese
Female
Over the age of 50
Have a family history of osteoarthritis
Have sustained a joint injury
Have abnormal joint structures
Have overused or repetitively moved their joints

Osteoarthritis Treatment Options

Many believe a total joint replacement is their only option for treating knee osteoarthritis. However, treatment usually begins with weight management and physical therapy. Patients may also benefit from taking anti-inflammatory medications and wearing supportive knee braces.

At Texas Vein & Wellness Institute, our board-certified physicians specialize in a minimally invasive osteoarthritis treatment called genicular artery embolization (GAE). With GAE, we obstruct the blood supply to the knee’s abnormal blood vessels, which are responsible for the inflammation and pain associated with OA.

This safe, nonsurgical procedure offers immediate, long-term pain relief and improved knee mobility for many OA patients. Most of the time, our GAE patients resume day-to-day activities after one to two days of rest.

Schedule an Appointment With Texas Vein & Wellness Institute Today

If you are seeking osteoarthritis care near Houston, Texas, trust Texas Vein & Wellness Institute for a superior, personalized care experience. Our compassionate, patient-centered physicians will work with you to develop a custom osteoarthritis care plan you feel confident about.

Contact our skilled care team today to learn more about our osteoarthritis treatment options or to request a consultation.