Arthritis & Osteoarthritis Treatment in Northern Virginia
Explore arthritis treatment for joint pain in Sterling and South Riding, VA, including physical therapy, injections and joint replacement when appropriate.
Arthritis can make everyday activities increasingly difficult by causing joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of motion. Symptoms may develop gradually over time or appear after an injury, and the right treatment depends on the type of arthritis, the joint involved, and how much the condition is affecting your daily life.
At Arthritis & Sports Orthopaedics, we provide personalized evaluation and treatment for osteoarthritis and other joint-specific arthritic conditions. Our goal is to reduce symptoms, preserve or improve function, and help you remain active using nonsurgical treatment whenever appropriate and surgery when joint damage becomes advanced.
Arthritis Treatment at a Glance
Most Common Type: Osteoarthritis
Common Symptoms: Joint pain, stiffness, swelling and loss of motion
Commonly Affected Areas: Knees, hips, shoulders, hands, wrists, elbows, feet and ankles
Diagnosis: Medical history, physical examination and often X-rays
Nonsurgical Care: Exercise, physical therapy, activity modification, medication, braces or orthotics, and selected joint injections
Surgical Care: Considered when advanced joint damage continues to cause significant pain and loss of function
Locations: Sterling and South Riding, Virginia
What Is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a broad term for conditions that affect one or more joints.
Different forms of arthritis have different causes, which means they may require very different treatment approaches.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis.
It develops as cartilage and other tissues within a joint change over time. Symptoms may include pain, stiffness, swelling, reduced range of motion, grinding or clicking, and increasing difficulty performing everyday activities.
Osteoarthritis commonly affects weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips but can also develop in the shoulders, hands, wrists, feet, ankles, and other joints.
Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms and how much the arthritis affects function rather than an X-ray alone.
Read our complete guide to osteoarthritis treatment options.
Post-Traumatic Arthritis
Arthritis can sometimes develop after a significant joint injury.
Fractures, ligament injuries, cartilage damage, dislocations, and other trauma can alter how forces move through a joint and contribute to degeneration later in life.
Symptoms and treatment are similar in many ways to osteoarthritis, but prior injuries and changes in joint alignment or stability may affect the treatment plan.
Inflammatory Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and other inflammatory arthritic conditions differ from osteoarthritis because the underlying disease involves the immune system and inflammation.
These conditions may affect several joints and can also involve other parts of the body.
A rheumatologist typically manages the medications used to control the underlying inflammatory disease. Our orthopedic team can evaluate and treat joint-specific pain, damage, deformity, or other musculoskeletal problems associated with inflammatory arthritis.
What Are Common Symptoms of Arthritis?
Arthritis symptoms vary depending on the affected joint and type of arthritis.
Common symptoms may include joint pain, stiffness after rest or inactivity, swelling, tenderness, reduced range of motion, weakness, grinding or clicking, and difficulty performing activities that were previously comfortable.
Some people notice symptoms only during certain activities, while others develop pain with normal walking, reaching, gripping, standing, or sleeping.
Persistent joint symptoms deserve evaluation when they begin interfering with daily life or continue despite basic home care.
Which Joints Can Arthritis Affect?
Arthritis can develop in almost any joint.
At Arthritis & Sports, we evaluate and treat arthritic conditions affecting the knees, hips, shoulders, hands, wrists, elbows, feet, and ankles.
Because treatment can differ considerably from one joint to another, our body-area resources provide more detailed information about each location.
Learn about knee arthritis and knee pain.
Learn about hip arthritis and hip pain.
Learn about shoulder arthritis and shoulder pain.
Learn about hand, wrist and elbow arthritis.
Learn about foot and ankle arthritis.
How Is Arthritis Diagnosed?
Diagnosing arthritis involves more than identifying pain on an X-ray.
Your provider will consider your symptoms, medical history, physical examination, imaging findings, previous injuries, activity level, and how much the condition affects your normal activities.
Physical Examination
During the examination, your provider may evaluate joint motion, swelling, tenderness, strength, alignment, stability, and movements that reproduce your symptoms.
How you walk, grip, reach, or perform other movements may also provide useful information depending on which joint is affected.
X-Rays & Other Imaging
X-rays are commonly used to evaluate suspected osteoarthritis and can show changes in joint space, bone shape, alignment, and other features associated with joint degeneration.
MRI, ultrasound, CT, or other imaging may be recommended when your provider suspects another problem involving cartilage, tendons, ligaments, bone, or surrounding soft tissues.
Advanced imaging is not necessary for every arthritis patient.
When Blood Tests or Rheumatology Evaluation May Be Needed
Blood tests are generally not needed to diagnose typical osteoarthritis.
They may be appropriate when symptoms raise concern for rheumatoid arthritis, gout, infection, or another inflammatory or systemic condition.
If an inflammatory form of arthritis is suspected, your orthopedic provider may recommend evaluation by a rheumatologist for additional testing and disease-specific treatment.
What Are the Nonsurgical Treatments for Arthritis?
Many patients with arthritis can manage their symptoms without surgery, particularly during the earlier stages of the condition.
Treatment is individualized based on the affected joint, severity of arthritis, overall health, activity level, prior treatments, and personal goals.
Exercise & Physical Therapy
Appropriate movement and exercise are important parts of managing many forms of osteoarthritis.
Physical therapy can help improve mobility, strength, balance, and joint function while teaching strategies for staying active without unnecessarily aggravating symptoms.
The exact program depends on the joint involved and your individual limitations.
Learn more about physical therapy at Arthritis & Sports.
Activity Modification & Weight Management
Changing how certain activities are performed can sometimes reduce stress on an arthritic joint without requiring you to stop being active.
For arthritis affecting weight-bearing joints such as the hip, knee, foot, or ankle, weight management may also reduce joint stress when appropriate for the individual patient.
The goal is not simply to avoid activity. It is to find sustainable ways to remain active while managing symptoms.
Arthritis Medications
Over-the-counter or prescription medication may be used to help manage arthritis symptoms.
The appropriate medication depends on your diagnosis, medical history, other medications, and potential risks.
Your healthcare provider can help determine whether medication is appropriate and how it should fit into the rest of your treatment plan.
Braces, Splints & Orthotics
Supportive devices can be useful for certain arthritic joints.
A brace may help selected patients with knee or ankle symptoms, while custom splints may support painful hand or wrist joints.
Foot orthotics may help redistribute pressure or improve support when foot structure or mechanics contribute to symptoms.
These devices are not needed for every patient and should be selected based on the joint and underlying condition.
Learn more about custom hand splinting.
Learn more about custom foot orthotics.
Corticosteroid Injections
Corticosteroid injections may provide temporary symptom relief for selected arthritic joints.
How useful an injection is, how long relief may last, and how often it should be considered depend on the joint being treated and the individual patient.
An injection does not reverse arthritis or rebuild damaged cartilage.
Your physician can discuss whether a corticosteroid injection is appropriate for your condition.
Other Joint Injections
Other injections are sometimes considered for selected patients with osteoarthritis, but they should not be treated as interchangeable options for every joint.
Viscosupplementation, platelet-rich plasma, and other injection treatments have different evidence, indications, limitations, insurance coverage, and expected outcomes depending on the affected joint.
Your physician can explain which options, if any, are reasonable for your diagnosis rather than applying the same injection strategy to every form of arthritis.
Read our guide to osteoarthritis treatment options.
When Is Surgery Considered for Arthritis?
Having arthritis does not automatically mean you need surgery.
Surgery may become appropriate when joint damage is advanced and persistent pain, stiffness, deformity, instability, or loss of function continues despite appropriate nonsurgical treatment.
The procedure recommended depends on which joint is affected, the extent of damage, your age and health, activity level, and treatment goals.
Partial Joint Replacement
When arthritis is limited to a specific portion of a joint, partial replacement may be an option for selected patients.
Partial knee replacement is one example.
Because healthy portions of the joint remain intact, candidacy depends heavily on where the arthritis is located and the condition of the surrounding structures.
Total Joint Replacement
Total joint replacement may be considered when advanced arthritis causes significant pain and loss of function that no longer responds adequately to nonsurgical treatment.
Arthritis & Sports provides joint replacement procedures for the hip, knee, and shoulder.
Learn more about total joint replacement.
Joint Fusion & Other Joint-Specific Procedures
Not every arthritis operation involves replacing a joint.
Depending on the joint and the underlying condition, surgical treatment may include fusion, reconstruction, joint-preserving procedures, or other specialized operations.
Your orthopedic specialist can explain which options apply to your particular joint and stage of arthritis.
Which Arthritis & Sports Specialist Should I See?
The right specialist depends primarily on which joint is causing your symptoms and the type of treatment you may need.
Hip & Knee Arthritis
Randall S. Peyton, MD, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee arthritis, adult reconstruction, and joint replacement.
Patients with progressive hip or knee arthritis or questions about partial or total joint replacement may see Dr. Peyton at our Sterling office.
Shoulder & Knee Arthritis
Matthew H. Griffith, MD, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and conditions affecting the shoulder, elbow, and knee.
His expertise includes nonsurgical and surgical shoulder care as well as total and reverse shoulder replacement.
Dr. Griffith sees patients at our Sterling office.
David S. Goodwin, MD, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, arthroscopy, and joint-preservation techniques involving the hip, knee, and shoulder.
He sees patients at our South Riding office.
Hand, Wrist & Elbow Arthritis
Elaine J. Ahillen, MD, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon with fellowship training in hand surgery.
She evaluates and treats arthritic and other conditions affecting the hand, wrist, elbow, and upper extremity at our Sterling office.
Foot & Ankle Arthritis
Sriya S. Babu, DPM, FACFAS, is a board-certified podiatric surgeon with advanced fellowship training in foot and ankle reconstruction and trauma.
Her expertise includes arthritic foot and ankle disorders, reconstruction, fusion, and total ankle replacement.
Dr. Babu sees patients in Sterling and South Riding.
Arthritis Care in Sterling & South Riding, Virginia
Arthritis & Sports provides evaluation and treatment for arthritis and joint pain at our Sterling and South Riding, Virginia locations.
Our team serves patients throughout Loudoun County and Northern Virginia, including Ashburn, Leesburg, Reston, Herndon, Chantilly, Aldie, and surrounding communities.
Depending on the affected joint and diagnosis, patients can access orthopedic evaluation, diagnostic imaging, physical therapy, injections, joint-preserving procedures, and joint replacement through one coordinated practice.
Visit our South Riding location.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arthritis Treatment
Can arthritis be treated without surgery?
Yes. Many people with osteoarthritis can manage symptoms without surgery. Treatment may include exercise, physical therapy, activity modification, medication, supportive devices, weight management when appropriate, and selected injections. Surgery is generally considered when arthritis becomes advanced and pain or loss of function continues despite appropriate nonsurgical treatment.
Can osteoarthritis be cured?
There is currently no treatment that completely reverses established osteoarthritis. Treatment instead focuses on managing symptoms, maintaining or improving function, supporting the joint, and helping patients remain active. When arthritis becomes advanced, surgery may be considered to address severely damaged joint surfaces.
Does exercise make arthritis worse?
Appropriate exercise generally plays an important role in managing osteoarthritis. Strengthening the muscles surrounding a painful joint can improve support, while mobility and aerobic exercise can help preserve function and overall health. The type and intensity of exercise should be adjusted to your condition, symptoms, and physical abilities.
When are injections used for arthritis?
Injections may be considered when symptoms continue despite other nonsurgical treatments or when temporary pain relief may help improve function. The type of injection that is appropriate depends on the affected joint and diagnosis. Not every injection treatment is recommended for every arthritic joint, which is why the decision should be individualized.
How do I know when arthritis is severe enough for joint replacement?
There is no single X-ray finding or pain score that automatically determines when joint replacement is needed. Surgery may be worth discussing when arthritis causes persistent pain, stiffness, loss of mobility, sleep disruption, or difficulty performing normal activities and appropriate nonsurgical treatment is no longer providing enough relief. The decision should be based on how the condition affects your life as well as the condition of the joint.
Should I see an orthopedist or rheumatologist for arthritis?
An orthopedic specialist is often an appropriate starting point for pain related to osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, or a specific damaged joint. A rheumatologist specializes in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis and manages medications that control those underlying diseases. Some patients benefit from care from both specialties.
Schedule an Appointment for Arthritis & Joint Pain
You do not have to determine the type or severity of your arthritis on your own.
Our orthopedic team can evaluate your joint symptoms, determine whether arthritis or another condition is responsible, and explain which nonsurgical or surgical treatment options may be appropriate.
Request an appointment with Arthritis & Sports Orthopaedics in Sterling or South Riding today.
