There are over 100 types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint and bone disease that is thought to affect 300 million individuals worldwide. OA is the leading cause of disability in the elderly and manifests itself as pain in the joints, accompanied by loss of joint range of movement and function, leading to an overall decreased quality of life.

For those seeking osteoarthritis treatment, an osteoarthritis specialist Brisbane residents can turn to can be found with us here at Rheumatology.com.au. We pride ourselves on our team of Rheumatologists that specialises in a variety of rheumatic diseases. We work together to diagnose and treat the most complex set of symptoms and work with you to tackle any underlying conditions and where possible to get you back to actively enjoying your life.

What is osteoarthritis (OA)?

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common musculoskeletal diseases that leads to functional decline. OA is characterised by joint pain, tenderness, stiffness, and limitation of movement. This disease affects cartilage, bones, joints, and ligaments, all of which lead to stiff and painful movements.

Primary osteoarthritis is usually related to aging and general degeneration of the joints. Secondary osteoarthritis often occurs as a consequence of another disease or condition, such as accident, trauma, surgery, or as a result of abnormal joint structures from birth.

What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?

Arthritic symptoms generally vary depending on the type of arthritis affecting the individual. Inflammation is the body’s natural response to infection or injury. Warning signs present alongside inflammation in the form of swelling, redness, and pain. Joint pain is the most prominent symptom of OA, that typically comes in two forms: constant background pain, or intense and intermittent pain. The other symptoms of OA include:

  • Swelling
  • Redness
  • Pain in the joints
  • Early morning stiffness that can worsen with prolonged periods of sitting or being sedentary
  • Limited range of movement

The proportion of damage to the cartilage and synovial inflammation varies amongst individuals. As it advances, osteoarthritis can lead to more severe symptoms such as:

  • Formation of bone spurs (lumps that form around the affected joint)
  • Loose bony fragments that can lead to crepitus (a palpable or audible grating, crunching or clicking sensation when moving a joint).
Osteoarthritis symptoms

Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in our body, most notably the knees and elbows.

What causes osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is known as a chronic wear and tear disease. The condition is often caused when the cartilage surrounding our joints deteriorates, causing chronic pain and stiffness. In the later stages, when most of the cartilage is worn away, the pain becomes more severe as a result of the mechanical friction of the raw uncushioned bones rubbing on one another.

Aside from breaking down cartilage, osteoarthritis has been proven to affect the connective tissue that holds our muscles and bones together, and causes inflammation of the lining of the joints, resulting in chronic bone deterioration.

How is osteoarthritis diagnosed?

During your consultation, we will carry out a comprehensive family and medical history to identify the location of the pain, its severity, and how long it has been present. This will then be followed by a physical exam to test your range of motion and assess the level of tenderness and swelling present.

Once complete, our Rheumatologists will request a series of lab and imaging tests to gather the physical evidence needed to confirm your diagnosis.

Osteoarthritis is a metabolically active process that affects all joint tissues. As such, our Rheumatologists may use X-rays and CT scans to assess the morphological changes of your joints to  determine the degree of damage caused by your condition.

The information gathered will be compared to the appropriate diagnostic criteria in order to confirm the stage of OA from which you are suffering.

Can osteoarthritis be cured in Australia?

As with other joint diseases, osteoarthritis continues to have no cure. Treatment aims to reduce and control associated symptoms, as well as preserve the remaining cartilage when possible.

Osteoarthritis

The findings on x-rays can identify joint abnormalities, the presence of osteophytes (bony growths), and narrowing of the joint space.

What are the available osteoarthritis treatments?

Osteoarthritis treatment varies from patient to patient depending on the severity of their condition, as well as a number of other contributing factors such as their overall well being, lifestyle, and the presence of previous joint injuries.

The first-line treatment for osteoarthritis is the use of anti-inflammatory medications. If appropriate, our Rheumatologists will prescribe anti-inflammatory medicine and assess your response. These medications can also be bought over-the-counter without a prescription.

For those experiencing severe pain or worsening symptoms, corticosteroid injections can be administered to reduce inflammation. For some, the use of prescription opioid medication may be needed to elicit a response.

Alternative treatments for osteoarthritis include:

  • Acupuncture
  • Avoidance of vigorous weight-bearing activities
  • Surgery
  • Using a walking aid
  • Physiotherapy

How can we help

We here at Rheumatology.com.au have a team of Rheumatologists expertly certified after training across Australian and international hospitals. All of whom specialise in a variety of rheumatic sub-specialities. We all work together to tackle the most complex symptoms and treat you as a whole, ensuring that your wellbeing and quality of life are our number one priority.

We are equipped with the knowledge and understanding of the benefits and limitations of all available osteoarthritis treatments, enabling us to provide you with an individual treatment plan tailored to your specific lifestyle.

If you are suffering from joint pain that is preventing you from carrying out your normal daily activities, contact us at your earliest convenience to arrange an appointment with a member of our specialist medical team.

Why Choose Rheumatology.com.au?

We pride ourselves on providing a team of Rheumatologists who are all experts within their fields. Our team works closely together, ensuring that when you need it, they use their combined knowledge and skill to tackle symptoms and presentations - especially when these presentations involve complex and challenging sets of symptoms.

Meet our experts
in rheumatic diseases

Meet our expert team below. They pride themselves on their commitment to providing a holistic approach to patient care, ensuring that each and every individual patient receives a treatment plan tailored to their unique needs.

ArthritisCARE Rheumatologists
Dr Peter Landsberg

MBBS (Hons), DipRACOG, FRACGP, FRACP

Peter founded rheumatology.com.au in 2016. He is a specialist Rheumatologist with a keen interest in treating inflammatory arthritis and connective tissue disorders. His earlier years spent as a General Practitioner allow him to offer a uniquely holistic approach to patient care. He also has a strong commitment to being involved in training upcoming Rheumatologists.

Dr Clare Owens

MBBS, BSc, FRACP

Clare has a passion for research. She completed her rheumatology training in Queensland and was awarded the prestigious Arthritis Australia International Research Grant, which allowed her to undertake research at the University of Leeds in the UK, a recognised European Rheumatology Centre of Excellence. Her specific areas of interest include osteoarthritis, soft tissue rheumatism, gout and connective tissue diseases such as lupus.

Dr Sergei Grosman

MBBS, BSc, FRACP

Sergei completed advanced training in General and Acute Care Medicine in 2018, after which he pursued his strong interest in Rheumatology. He spent his training years in hospitals in Sydney, Brisbane and across Queensland. Sergei has a keen interest in all aspects of rheumatology and works closely with his patients to provide an individualised approach to care.

Dr Louise McCormack

MBBS (Hons), BSc, FRACP

Louise holds fellowships from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in both General Medicine and Rheumatology and has been expertly practising as a Rheumatologist for over 12 years. In addition to her role at rheumatology.com.au, she provides her consultant specialist expertise to the Princess Alexandra Hospital and QEII Hospital Rheumatology Clinics in Brisbane.

Dr Maryam Zia

MBBS, MD, FRACP

Maryam specialised in 2019 after having completed her initial training at the University of Punjab in Pakistan. She completed her advanced training at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane and at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. She is interested in all aspects of inflammatory autoimmune diseases.

Dr Joseph O'Callaghan

MBBS, BSc, FRACP

Dr Joseph O'Callaghan is a consultant in adult general rheumatology. He is a visiting Rheumatologist at the Mater Adult Hospital. He undertook his rheumatology training in Brisbane, Adelaide and Sydney and in Edmonton, Canada. He completed an MD on the anti-inflammatory effects of methotrexate while a Spurway Fellow in Rheumatology at the Royal North Shore Hospital. Dr O'Callaghan has an interest in all aspects of rheumatology care.

FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about osteoarthritis treatment in Brisbane.

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