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Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease and affects nearly everyone by the age of 70. This occurs over time with wear and tear on the joints. The smooth cartilage that normally covers and protects the ends of bones breaks down, making movement difficult and painful. Signs and symptoms of OA include stiffness, limitation of joint motion and inflammation that causes redness and swelling. Factors that may play a role in the development of OA include overuse of joints, sports related injuries, prior joint surgery, being overweight, poor bone positioning and family history. Although OA cannot be cured, there are ways to manage the pain and stiffness that it can cause. Non-drug treatment may include physical therapy, exercise and weight loss. More aggressive treatments include drug therapy, intra-articular corticosteroid injections, or surgery. Specifically for knee osteoarthritis, Hyaluronan injections have been beneficial in OA treatment for our patients. Hyaluronan acts like a lubricant and a shock absorber in the joint. The hyaluronan products used are Hyalgan , Euflexa andSynvisc. These injections are available in our office after a thorough examination by the doctor.
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