The University of Chicago Medical Center provides innovative solutions for individuals experiencing disability from arthritis and other adult orthopedic problems including deformities, infections, traumatic injuries, failed joint replacements and cancer.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common causes of joint pain. Sometimes called degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease, it is a condition that involves the breakdown of joint cartilage. Cartilage is a rubbery tissue that covers the ends of moving bones in joints. It acts as both a shock absorber and a lubricant, protecting your bones from damage and providing smooth, pain-free movement.

As joint cartilage wears away, the bones begin to make painful bone-on-bone contact. The early stages of osteoarthritis can be treated with a variety of conservative, non-surgical treatments. However, as the joint cartilage continues to wear away and the symptoms of osteoarthritis become more severe, surgery may be recommended to correct the damaged bone and cartilage.

To diagnose your condition, an orthopaedic physician will observe your movement and review your health history. An X-ray of the affected joint will show signs of cartilage wear, and the severity of the cartilage destruction can help determine the best course of treatment.

Often the cause of arthritis is unknown, but osteoarthritis may develop as a result of injury to the joint, excess body weight or years of wear and tear on the joint cartilage. There is no known cure. The best that doctors can do for patients is to restore motion and reduce pain. Fortunately, total joint replacement has generally proven quite effective at accomplishing these goals.

The joints most commonly affected by osteoarthritis are the knees, hips, fingers, and shoulders. Symptoms of osteoarthritis include, but are not limited to:

• Joint pain while standing or moving
• Giving out or locking of joint
• Near constant pain
• Decreased activity
• Abnormal stance or walk

There are a number of non-surgical treatments for osteoarthritis. Moderate doctor-prescribed exercise and physical therapy are excellent ways to keep your joints moving and to help relieve moderate joint pain. Joints that are not regularly exercised can become tight and painful.

Excess body weight places extreme pressure on the joints. If you are overweight, your doctor may recommend weight loss to help relieve unwanted stress and pain in your joints.
Pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or medications known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can help control swelling and pain. It is important to consult your doctor before taking medication for joint pain.

Assistive devices, such as a cane or walker, can help reduce the pressure placed on joints and alleviate some pain. Resting after activity can also help control moderate joint pain.

The technique of joint replacement uses prosthetic implants to replace the damaged sections of bone and cartilage in the joint. The purpose of the procedure is to restore function and mobility and to provide relief from joint pain.

The most common reason joints are replaced is osteoarthritis, which is the diagnosis in 90% of patients receiving a new joint. However, patients may be candidates for joint replacement if they suffer from any of the following conditions:

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): This is significantly less common than osteoarthritis, affecting 2.1 million Americans, mostly women. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, the cause of which is unknown. The body's immunological system attacks healthy tissue, causing inflammation of the joint lining and subsequent joint damage.

Avascular Necrosis (AVN): Also known as osteonecrosis, this is a disorder where the blood supply to the bone is compromised, causing weakness and potential bone collapse. Mostly occurring in people between the ages of 30 and 60, AVN most commonly affects alcoholics, people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus, and people ingesting high doses of steroids.

Post-Traumatic Arthritis (PTA): Injuries to the joint and cartilage which do not fully heal may lead to an arthritic condition

The University of Chicago Bone and Joint Replacement Center at Weiss Memorial Hospital is a program of the orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation medicine, which is consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top orthopedic programs in the nation.

The University of Chicago physicians here use innovative surgical and non-surgical techniques to provide advanced treatment for bone and joint disorders, including minimally invasive procedures to greatly reduce orthopedic surgery recovery times, cementless systems that allow full weight bearing immediately after surgery, and metal-on-metal liners that mean longer wear.

In addition, orthopedic surgeons here lead their field in research and education. The research team seeks to perfect the art of joint replacement by focusing on the development of new technology and techniques to enhance healing. In the past decade, the Center has contributed to more than ten major advancements in adult orthopedic reconstructive surgery. Due to the Center's reputation, physicians and surgeons from all over the world visit the Center to learn about bone and joint replacement techniques and prosthetic devices. Patients benefit from the direct connection to the leading-edge research being conducted at the Center. The center attracts patients from both near and far, many with the means to go anywhere for their diagnosis and treatment.

For more information please visit http://www.henryfinn.com/index.html

University of Chicago Medical Center:

Hue H. Luu, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Associate Director, Molecular Oncology Laboratory

David Manning, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Orthopaedic Residency Director

John Martell, MD
Associate Professor of Surgery
Director, Institute of Biomedical Imaging Analysis

Weiss Memorial Hospital:

Henry A. Finn, MD
Professor of Surgery
Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery, Weiss Hospital
Medical Director, Bone and Joint Replacement Center, Weiss Hospital