End-stage arthritis is the progressive wearing down of the cartilage that is present between the bones of a joint causing the bones to come in contact with each other and painfully rub against each other during movement of the joint. This results in severe pain with loss of movement and function.
Diagnosis of end stage arthritis can be made with X-rays that demonstrate complete loss of joint space between the bones.
When you reach end stage arthritis, nonsurgical treatment options such as medications, bracing and injections are usually no longer effective. Effective treatment usually involves surgery and may include:
- Joint fusion: The bone surfaces are smoothed, held together with screws and plates, and placed in a cast until the bones of the joint fuse with each other. It provides substantial pain relief but sacrifices on mobility. A drawback of this method is the adjacent joints may be overused to compensate for the loss of mobility of the joint, resulting in degeneration and arthritis of those joints as well.
- Joint replacement: The arthritic joint is replaced by 2 or 3 artificial implants that glide against each other. This method provides pain relief as well as functional range of motion of the joint.
- Distraction arthroplasty: The arthritic joint is placed in a framework that is slowly adjusted to pull the joint surfaces apart and create a favorable environment for regeneration of cartilage. This method is usually performed in young patients.
When considering the best possible course of treatment, the factors taken into consideration will include the joint location, your age, activity level, bone quality, and alignment. Consulting an orthopedic surgeon who is highly qualified in treating arthritic conditions will ensure selection of the ideal treatment plan to suit your condition.
FAQs
End stage arthritis may severely affect your ability to perform regular activities. Medical treatments, including surgery, may help reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.
What is the last stage of arthritis? ›
Stage 4: In end-stage RA, inflammation stops, but the damage continues. The joint might stop working. You'll still have pain, swelling, stiffness, and lack of motion.
What is the last resort treatment for arthritis? ›
As a last resort, a damaged joint may be surgically fused or replaced with one made of a combination of metal, plastic and/or ceramic. Pain and anti-inflammatory medicines for osteoarthritis are available as pills, syrups, patches, gels, creams or injectables. They include: Analgesics.
Can you walk with stage 4 arthritis? ›
Patients in stage 4 osteoarthritis can experience tremendous pain and discomfort when they walk or move the knee joint. They may notice obvious deformities in their lower extremities such as increased bowlegged appearance. Mobility will be hampered by both pain and reduced movement in the joint.
How painful is end stage osteoarthritis? ›
End-stage arthritis is the progressive wearing down of the cartilage that is present between the bones of a joint causing the bones to come in contact with each other and painfully rub against each other during movement of the joint. This results in severe pain with loss of movement and function.
Will I end up in a wheelchair with osteoarthritis? ›
Sadly for some Osteoarthritis can lead to need to using a wheelchair. The pain while often manageable with drugs can combine with joint stiffness and loss of dexterity to require the use of a wheelchair to help alleviate the conditions.
What does stage 4 arthritis feel like? ›
Stage 4 (Severe). Severe osteoarthritis means that the cartilage is almost gone. Your knee is stiff, painful and possibly immobile. You might need surgery.
How long can you live with inflammatory arthritis? ›
Although rheumatoid arthritis may shorten life expectancy by 3-10 years, the disease affects people differently, and different factors play a role in lifespan. You can't predict this disease. But while some people experience serious complications, others go on to live long, healthy lives without complications.
How long can you live with chronic arthritis? ›
Nevertheless, with the right treatment, many people can live past the age of 80 or even 90 years while experiencing relatively mild symptoms and only minor limitations on day-to-day life.
What's the best painkiller for arthritis? ›
Over-the-counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve) can help relieve occasional pain triggered by activity your muscles and joints aren't used to — such as gardening after a winter indoors.
In the Kitchen with Arthritis: Foods to Avoid
- Processed foods. Avoid processed foods, such as baked goods and prepackaged meals and snacks. ...
- Omega-6 fatty acids. ...
- Sugar and certain sugar alternatives. ...
- Red meat and fried foods. ...
- Refined carbohydrates. ...
- Cheese and high-fat dairy. ...
- Alcohol.
Pushing through pain is not the thing to do. If your joints are hot or swollen, exercise can increase the damage and cause more pain.
Is too much walking bad for arthritis? ›
Some people worry that exercising could make their arthritis worse. But the truth is being active is good for us and helps keep our joints healthy.
Can too much walking make arthritis worse? ›
Walking is a great exercise for those with mild to moderate arthritis symptoms. Exercises for hip arthritis should be light and low-impact so as not to aggravate the condition.
Can you live with severe arthritis? ›
Almost 15 million US adults live with severe joint pain related to arthritis. Severe joint pain limits a person's ability to do basic tasks and affects their quality of life. Learning self-management skills and being active can help manage severe joint pain.
How long can you live with severe osteoarthritis? ›
There is no cure for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and typically patients live approximately 30-years with the disease. Most common medical treatments result in short-term palliation of symptoms with little consideration of long-term risk.
When is arthritis considered severe? ›
Severe arthritis, particularly if it affects your hands or arms, can make it difficult for you to do daily tasks. Arthritis of weight-bearing joints can keep you from walking comfortably or sitting up straight. In some cases, joints may gradually lose their alignment and shape.
