Temple Health works across disciplines, including orthopedic surgery, sports medicine and physical therapy, to provide joint pain relief. Our team is here to develop a plan that will work for you and is proud to guide you through a wide range of treatment options, from lifestyle changes to, when necessary, joint replacement surgery.
Diet
A healthy diet and weight are important parts of any treatment plan.
Exercises for Arthritis
The Arthritis Foundation recommends staying active and performing low impact exercises and activities, including the following exercises:
- Mini squat – Stand straight and hold on the back of the chair with feet shoulder width apart. Slowly bend knees and hold for six seconds. Be sure to keep feet flat on the floor, and keep knees behind your toes.
- Quad stretch – Stand straight and hold the back of a chair while you step backward with one foot. Keep knees bent and feet flat. Hold for 10 seconds.
- Hamstring stretch – Sit on the edge of the chair and straighten one leg forward, keeping your heel on the ground. Slowly lean forward, while keeping your back straight. Hold for 10 seconds.
Hand exercises can help relieve pain and stiffness in the fingers and wrists:
- Make a fist – Slowly open and close your hand. Repeat 10 times on each hand.
- Finger bends – Start with an open hand. Slowly bend each finger (one at a time) toward your palm and hold for a few seconds.
- Make an O – Curve all fingers inward until they touch to make an “O.” Hold for a few seconds, and then slowly straighten fingers.
- Wrist stretch – Hold one hand out with the palm facing the floor. Using your other hand, gently press down on the outstretched hand until you feel a stretch in your wrist and arm. Hold for a few seconds and then slowly release.
Medication
Your provider may recommend medication to help manage your joint pain, including:
- Anti-inflammatories to decrease inflammation and swelling related to arthritis.
- Topical medication – Lotions and creams may help ease joint pain when applied directly to the affected area.
- Injections – Injections into the affected joint can decrease inflammation and pain related to degenerative conditions. Temple physicians offer steroid injections, hyaluronic acid/viscosupplement injections, and biologic injections as treatment options for degenerative joint pain-call today to discuss if you are a candidate.
Joint Replacement
Temple Health offers the latest advances in joint replacement and reconstruction, to help improve our patients’ outcomes and reduce recovery time. Procedures available include:
- Hip replacement – Traditional surgery, minimally invasive approaches and can help relieve hip joint pain.
- Knee replacement – Traditional and minimally invasive knee replacement techniques are available at Temple Health.
- Shoulder replacement – There are several approaches to shoulder replacement, including reverse shoulder replacement.
- Elbow replacement – Elbow replacement surgery repairs and replaces joints damaged by arthritis or other conditions to improve function and reduce pain.
Ready for an Appointment?
Find a doctor near you, request an appointment, or call 800-TEMPLE-MED (800-836-7536) today.