When you develop arthritis in your hip or knee, surgery is sometimes needed to restore function. However, at Mitchell Hip and Knee in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, James Mitchell, MD, provides both operative and non-operative care for joint pain. Hip or knee arthritis doesn’t always require surgery, and Dr. Mitchell offers conservative approaches to help you minimize pain and regain mobility in your hip or knee. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Mitchell, call the office in Oklahoma City today, or book online today!
Non-operative care refers to treatments that don’t involve surgery. At Mitchell Hip and Knee, Dr. Mitchell provides both non-operative care and surgical intervention for hip and knee pain.
Non-operative care is typically the first line of defense when dealing with hip and knee pain. Surgery is invasive and costly, which is why it’s reserved for severe cases of hip and knee arthritis.
When you have hip or knee pain, Dr. Mitchell evaluates your condition. If it’s not severe enough for surgery, he offers several forms of non-operative care to get your pain under control.
The goal of non-operative care is to get your pain to a tolerable level and increase the functionality of your joint. With this form of care, surgery is sometimes avoidable altogether.
A variety of different problems cause hip and knee pain. For instance, a previous injury that didn’t heal properly can lead to osteoarthritis, which causes pain and stiffness in your joints and usually affects your normal activities.
Osteoarthritis may also happen due to normal wear-and-tear over time. If you’re very active and on your feet a lot, your joints may break down faster compared to other people. This condition affects the protective cartilage in your joints, causing inflammation and pain.
If left untreated, osteoarthritis in your hips or knees causes problems with your range of motion and mobility. You may find it hard to walk up the steps or simply walk long distances.
Dr. Mitchell provides the latest treatments when it comes to non-operative care. He evaluates your knee or hip to determine the best treatment route for your pain.
Physical therapy is one of the major components of non-operative care. It allows you to regain strength and range of motion in the affected joint, increasing your mobility.
Activity modifications and anti-inflammatory medications are also vital parts of non-operative care. The anti-inflammatories help relieve pain, while activity modifications take the excess strain off the joint.
Corticosteroid injections are another aspect of non-operative care. These injections quickly relieve pain and inflammation in your knee or hip joint.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mitchell, call the office in Oklahoma City today, or request a consultation using the online booking tool.