{"id":2450,"date":"2023-12-06T12:22:44","date_gmt":"2023-12-06T16:22:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drphilzeltzman.com\/blog\/?p=2450"},"modified":"2023-12-06T12:22:45","modified_gmt":"2023-12-06T16:22:45","slug":"common-questions-about-arthritis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drphilzeltzman.com\/blog\/common-questions-about-arthritis\/","title":{"rendered":"Common questions about arthritis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Last June, we answered the very common question: \u201cHow can my pet have arthritis so young?\u201d
(here is the link to that blog: https:\/\/www.drphilzeltzman.com\/blog\/how-can-my-pet-have-arthritis-so-young\/<\/a>).
Today, let\u2019s answer more very common questions related to arthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Can arthritis be cured?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no cure for arthritis, in pets or in people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, for example in the case of Amber the Lab with a torn ACL and Sweetie with dislocated kneecaps, who were featured in the blog mentioned above, we cannot get rid of arthritis once it has developed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Tank\u2019s case, we \u201cremoved\u201d the arthritis by removing the ball part of the joint during surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The “ball” of the thigh bone was removed during FHO surgery on the right side of the picture.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, all we can do is slow down the progression and manage the signs. Don\u2019t believe the hype, Dr Google or the advertising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no way to prevent arthritis and there is no magic cure once it starts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, there are several options to support the joint, slow down the progression and reduce inflammation (irritation). Beyond surgery, or after surgery, we can give joint or arthritis supplements. They most commonly include glucosamine (with chondroitin) and fish oil (omega-3 fatty acids).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We know that arthritis gets worse with time, so time is of the essence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We can\u2019t fix the arthritis, but the sooner we address the issue, the better off your pet will be long-term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pain can be addressed by a number of great and safe pain medications, including anti-inflammatory drugs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Will you remove the arthritis during surgery?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We cannot just magically remove arthritis while we are in surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technically speaking, we could remove some of the bone spurs we see, but not all of them. Whether with traditional \u201copen\u201d surgery or with arthroscopy (a camera in the joint), we simply don\u2019t have access to all of the bone spurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if we could remove them, they would come back. So removing them doesn\u2019t really serve a purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A dog’s knee with very severe arthritis.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The only exception is in the case of FHO surgery of the hip. Refer to these 2 recent blogs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n