Joint Pain Relief Options Near You
Ease Osteoarthritis and Arthritis Pain With Non-Surgical Care
Stiff knees in the morning, hips that ache on the stairs, and hands that don't grip like they used to can slowly change what you do each day. Osteoarthritis is the wear-and-tear kind of arthritis, where the cartilage that cushions a joint thins over time. Arthritis is a broader word that covers more than 100 conditions. Whichever kind you have, the goal is the same: less pain and more motion.
At DiCesare Orthopedic Medicine in Greensburg, Dr. Jacob DiCesare cares for arthritis without surgery. He earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed a family practice residency at UPMC St. Margaret. Your visit covers your health history, your daily life, and your goals as well as the sore joint.
When joint pain keeps limiting your day, request an appointment online or call our front desk at (724) 261-4080. Same-day and same-week appointments are available.
Understand Your Joint Pain and Your Options
Osteoarthritis Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Treatment Options
How Common Arthritis Is in the United States
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 53.2 million U.S. adults, about 21 percent, had arthritis diagnosed by a health care provider in 2019 to 2021, according to its CDC report on diagnosed arthritis(opens in a new tab). Osteoarthritis is the form most people mean when they talk about worn joints. It can affect the hands, feet, knees, hips, and spine.
53.2 million
U.S. adults had arthritis diagnosed by a health care provider in 2019 to 2021, about 21 percent.
Source: CDC
When to See a Provider About Joint Pain
Common signs include joint pain, morning stiffness, less range of motion, swelling, weakness in the muscles around the joint, and a cracking feeling when the joint moves.
It's time to book a visit when pain lasts, stiffness lingers past the morning, or stairs, walking, or daily tasks get harder. An early exam can show what's going on and what to try first.
Some things raise your risk:
- An earlier injury to the joint
- Years of joint overuse
- Being over age 50
- Being female
- Excess body weight
- A family history of arthritis
How We Treat Osteoarthritis and Arthritis Without Surgery
Care starts with a thorough exam of your joints, your health history, and your goals. A complete orthopedic exam is often the first step. Musculoskeletal ultrasound can add a real-time look at the soft tissue around a joint. From there, your plan may include at-home recommendations and one or more of these options:
If surgery turns out to be the right next step, Dr. DiCesare will refer you to an orthopedic surgeon.
Signs Joint Pain Needs Prompt Attention
Some joint symptoms shouldn't wait. Get checked right away for sudden, severe pain, a joint you can't move or put weight on, or a joint that looks out of place after a fall. A hot, red, swollen joint with a fever also needs quick care, since it can point to an infection. If you can't reach us, urgent care or an emergency room is the safer choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between osteoarthritis and arthritis?
Arthritis is the umbrella term for more than 100 conditions that cause joint pain and swelling. Osteoarthritis is the most common type. It happens when cartilage wears down, so the bones in a joint rub with less cushioning than before.
Can osteoarthritis be reversed?
Worn cartilage doesn't grow back on its own, so care focuses on easing pain, protecting the joint, and keeping you moving. Care often combines at-home habits with in-office treatments. Your plan depends on which joints are involved and how much they limit your day.
Who is most likely to get arthritis?
Arthritis becomes more common with age. The CDC reports that 47.3 percent of adults 65 and older had diagnosed arthritis in 2019 to 2021, based on the CDC report on diagnosed arthritis(opens in a new tab). It also affects younger adults, especially after a joint injury or with a family history.
Is joint cracking a sign of arthritis?
Not always. A pop or crack can be harmless, often from air shifting within the joint capsule, the tissue sac around a joint. It deserves a closer look when it comes with pain, swelling, or stiffness, since cracking with those symptoms can be an early sign of osteoarthritis.
Do I need an X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to find out if I have arthritis?
Not always. Your provider can learn a lot from your history and a hands-on exam. Imaging is added when it will change the plan. In our office, musculoskeletal ultrasound can show soft tissue around a joint without radiation.
What can I do at home to ease arthritis pain?
Gentle, low-impact movement, a healthy body weight, and pacing your activity help many people. Your plan may also include at-home recommendations matched to your joints and your daily routine. We'll go over them at your visit.
Do you perform joint replacement surgery?
Dr. Jacob DiCesare provides non-surgical care and doesn't perform surgery, including joint replacement. If an exam shows that a joint may need replacement or repair, he'll refer you to an orthopedic surgeon and help you plan next steps.
Request an Evaluation for Your Joint Pain
Expertise You Can Trust, Compassion You Deserve