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Arthritis can make everyday activities more difficult. Walking, climbing stairs, opening a jar, reaching overhead, getting out of a chair, or exercising may become painful or frustrating.

But arthritis is not one single condition.

There are many different types of arthritis. The most common form is osteoarthritis, which can affect joints such as the knees, hips, hands, and spine. Other forms, including inflammatory arthritis, may require medical evaluation and treatment by a rheumatologist or other healthcare provider.

At O'Leary Chiropractic, we provide comprehensive evaluations and conservative musculoskeletal care for appropriately selected patients with osteoarthritis and other mechanical joint-related symptoms.

Our approach focuses on:

• Understanding your symptoms and functional limitations 
• Evaluating the affected joint and surrounding areas 
• Improving mobility and movement when appropriate 
• Developing an individualized exercise and rehabilitation plan 
• Providing manual therapy when clinically appropriate 
• Recognizing when medical evaluation or co-management is needed 

If joint pain or stiffness is affecting your work, exercise, sleep, or daily activities, a thorough evaluation can help determine the most appropriate next step.

Arthritis is a broad term used to describe conditions that affect joints and surrounding tissues.

Different types of arthritis can have different causes and require different treatment approaches.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It can involve changes to the joint and may cause:

• Joint pain 
• Stiffness 
• Reduced range of motion 
• Difficulty with daily activities 
• Symptoms that worsen with certain activities 
• Osteoarthritis commonly affects the:
• Knees 
• Hips 
• Hands 
• Spine 
• Shoulders and other joints 

Importantly, the severity of arthritis seen on an X-ray does not always match the severity of a person's symptoms. Some people have significant structural changes with relatively little pain, while others may have substantial symptoms with less dramatic imaging findings.

Current NICE guidance emphasizes that osteoarthritis management should be guided by a person's symptoms and physical function, not imaging findings alone. 

What Does Arthritis Feel Like?

Symptoms can vary depending on the type of arthritis and the joint involved.

Common symptoms may include:

• Aching or joint pain 
• Stiffness 
• Reduced mobility 
• Difficulty walking 
• Pain with stairs or squatting 
• Difficulty gripping or using the hands 
• Joint swelling 
• Reduced activity tolerance 

Some people notice symptoms gradually, while others experience periods when their symptoms temporarily worsen.

A sudden change in symptoms, rapid worsening, a hot swollen joint, prolonged morning stiffness, or other unusual features may indicate that additional medical evaluation is appropriate. 

This is one of the most common concerns patients have.

In many cases, appropriately selected and tailored exercise is beneficial, even if some discomfort occurs when beginning a new program.

NICE recommends explaining to patients that exercise-related discomfort may occur initially, while regular and consistent exercise can improve pain, function, and quality of life over time. 

The right exercise program depends on the joint involved, your current symptoms, physical ability, and overall health.

At O'Leary Chiropractic, exercise recommendations are individualized rather than based on a one-size-fits-all approach.

Do You Need an X-Ray or MRI for Arthritis?

Not always.

Osteoarthritis can often be diagnosed clinically based on a person's symptoms and physical examination.

NICE recommends diagnosing osteoarthritis clinically in people aged 45 or older with activity-related joint pain and either no morning stiffness or morning stiffness lasting 30 minutes or less, when no atypical features are present. Routine imaging is not required to confirm the diagnosis in those circumstances. 

Imaging may become appropriate when:

• The diagnosis is uncertain 
• Symptoms are unusual 
• Significant trauma has occurred 
• Another condition is suspected 
• The results are expected to change management 

Any imaging findings should be interpreted together with your symptoms and physical examination.

Not necessarily.

The presence of arthritis does not automatically mean that surgery or joint replacement is inevitable.

Many people manage osteoarthritis with a combination of:

• Exercise 
• Strengthening 
• Weight management when appropriate 
• Education and self-management 
• Appropriate medication or other medical treatment 
• Activity modification 
• Other individualized strategies 

The American College of Rheumatology and Arthritis Foundation strongly recommend exercise and, for people with hip or knee osteoarthritis who are overweight or obese, weight loss as part of osteoarthritis management. 

Treatment decisions should be based on your symptoms, functional limitations, response to conservative care, and overall health.

Arthritis can be frustrating, but a diagnosis does not mean you have to stop doing the activities you enjoy.

For many people, the goal of conservative care is not to “cure” arthritis or promise to reverse joint changes. Instead, the focus is on helping you:

Move more comfortably 

• Improve strength and mobility 
• Maintain independence 
• Increase activity tolerance 
• Better manage symptoms 
• Stay active safely 

At O'Leary Chiropractic, we provide individualized conservative care for appropriately selected patients with osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal joint pain.

Schedule an Arthritis Evaluation

If arthritis-related pain, stiffness, or reduced mobility is affecting your daily life, contact O'Leary Chiropractic to schedule an evaluation.

Call us today at (518) 793-1205 or request an appointment online!

Serving patients in Queensbury, Glens Falls, Lake George, Hudson Falls, and the surrounding Adirondack region.