Understanding Osteoarthritis
Conveniently Located To Serve Scottsdale, Phoenix, and Glendale
Weight Loss for Osteoarthritis
Obesity is among the leading causes of immobility in adults. An accumulation of excess body weight increases pressure on the joints, especially the hips, knees and ankles. Over time, excess weight can cause cartilage in these joints to wear down, and this may lead to severe pain and difficulty walking.
Osteoarthritis
Reduce Joint Stress with Physician-Led Medical Weight Loss.
Arthritis is a chronic condition caused by inflammation in the joints. It can develop at any joint in the body, including the ankles and knees, the hips, the wrists or elbows. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, sometimes called wear-and-tear arthritis.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
- Aching and soreness in the joints, especially during and following movement
- Pain following long periods of inactivity
- Stiffness in the joints following rest, such as in the morning
- Swelling of the joints
- Bony growths protruding from the joint
Causes of Osteoarthritis
Joints are lined with a protective substance called cartilage that prevents bones from rubbing against each-other as you move. This allows your movement to be easy and pain-free. As cartilage wears down, bones begin to grind on one another. When severe, this can make using that joint extremely painful and may lead to immobility.
Inflammation in the joints accelerates the wear on cartilage and makes it more likely that bones will rub against one another.
Factors that increase your risk for osteoarthritis include:
- Advanced age
- Obesity
- Injury or trauma
Osteoarthritis commonly develops with age, but it is not a symptom of aging. Arthritis a chronic disease, and should never be accepted as a natural element of aging.
Treatment for Osteoarthritis
Joint pain is frequently addressed through a combination of lifestyle changes, medication and physical therapy. In severe cases, surgical joint replacement may be required.
Losing weight will often alleviate joint pain, especially joint pain that develops in the knees and ankles. Even losing a small amount of weight helps to alleviate the pressure on the joints, and can help reduce swelling and joint pain.
Additional lifestyle changes that may reduce joint pain include:
- Making dietary changes to reduce swelling in the body
- Participating in regular low-impact activity
- Stretching regularly
- Avoiding standing or sitting for an extensive period of time
Many people also find some relief from joint pain by wearing supportive gear, such as knee or wrist braces. This sort of protective gear is designed to alleviate pressure on the joints, thus helping to reduce pain.
Nick's Story
"I wish I would have come here first. We spend all our time reacting to the next great weight loss tip or program. It might work for a while, but does not last and we end up yo-yoing from one fad to the next – as we gain more weight." Read More
Lost 44.5 lbs
"I had no trouble adhering to the meals and they really helped catapult my progress! The classes were so beneficial to me because they helped change my thinking about how I viewed health, nutrition, and fitness.
I will always have my relationship with Scottsdale Weight Loss Center. They truly helped me change my life forever." Read More
Lost 60 lbs
"Dr. Ziltzer and everyone who I have come in contact with at the Scottsdale Weight Loss office have been so encouraging and I look forward to seeing them each week. It is now a year and 2 months later since I started. I am down 60 lbs., which is the average amount a 9-year-old weighs, it is crazy to think I lost a whole person! I feel amazing, I hit my goal weight in November 2021 just before Thanksgiving. Nothing on my body hurts anymore..." Read More
Lost 66 lbs
"The best thing I did was call the Scottsdale Weight Loss Center. I have a lot more energy, I'm not hungry, and it feels great.
You can take it from me that this is a program that produces results. The staff is always positive, supportive, and never judgmental.
Your visits always result in positive reinforcement, no matter if you had a good week or a bad week." Read More
Lost 101 lbs
"Here I am at the lowest I have been since high school weighing in at 155lbs. I have lost 101 lbs, BMI of 39 when I started, to 21.6, and of course at body fat % of 47.1 to 26.5%. I told myself by my 30th birthday I wanted to be confident in the way I look and I owe it all to SWLC. The entire staff is so welcoming and they are rooting for you just as much as you are rooting for yourself...." Read More
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Meet Our Team
Robert Ziltzer, MD, FACP, FAAP, FOMA
Diana Bone, FNP-C
Craig Primack, MD, FACP, FAAP, MFOMA
Kristen Ash, FNP-C, FNP-BC
