Understanding Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is often described as “wear and tear,” but the experience can be different for every patient. It may involve changes in cartilage, joint surfaces, inflammation, stiffness, surrounding soft tissue, movement patterns, strength, and overall joint function.
Some patients have mild imaging changes but significant symptoms. Others have advanced arthritis but only certain activities that cause pain. That is why treatment planning should consider more than an X-ray or diagnosis alone.
At Maple Medical, Dr. Blatz looks at your symptoms, goals, activity level, prior care, and how osteoarthritis is affecting your real life before discussing treatment options.
Common Osteoarthritis Symptoms
You may want to schedule a consultation if osteoarthritis symptoms are affecting:
- Walking or standing
- Stairs, hills, or uneven ground
- Exercise, golf, hiking, skiing, pickleball, or strength training
- Sitting, rising from a chair, or getting in and out of a vehicle
- Range of motion or joint stiffness
- Sleep or comfort during rest
- Daily errands, work, or travel
- Confidence with movement
- Symptoms that have not improved as expected with rest, medication, injections, physical therapy, or activity changes
Some patients come to Maple Medical with a known osteoarthritis diagnosis. Others are not sure whether their pain is caused by arthritis, a tendon issue, cartilage changes, inflammation, old injury, or another concern. A consultation can help clarify what may be contributing to your symptoms.
Osteoarthritis in the Knee, Hip, and Shoulder
Osteoarthritis can affect different joints in different ways.
- Knee osteoarthritis may cause pain with walking, stairs, squatting, kneeling, or longer periods of activity. Some patients also notice swelling, stiffness, or reduced confidence in the knee.
- Hip osteoarthritis may cause groin pain, stiffness, reduced range of motion, discomfort with walking, difficulty getting in and out of chairs or vehicles, or pain during exercise and travel.
- Shoulder osteoarthritis may affect reaching, lifting, sleeping, exercise, or range of motion. It may also overlap with rotator cuff, tendon, or soft tissue concerns.
Because joint pain can involve more than one structure, the right plan depends on the joint involved, the severity of symptoms, your previous care, and what you want to get back to doing.
Realistic Goals for Osteoarthritis Care
Regenerative medicine should not be presented as a cure for osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a chronic joint condition, and treatment goals should be realistic.
For appropriate patients, non-surgical care may be considered as part of a plan to support comfort, mobility, and function. The goal may be to help you move more confidently, reduce certain activity limitations, support tissue response, or better manage symptoms as part of a broader care strategy.
Dr. Blatz will help you understand what may be realistic for your condition. Some patients may be candidates for regenerative medicine. Others may need physical therapy, additional imaging, orthopedic evaluation, lifestyle or activity guidance, or another treatment path.
How Maple Medical Evaluates Osteoarthritis
At Maple Medical, osteoarthritis care begins with a detailed consultation and condition-focused evaluation.
Dr. Blatz will review your symptoms, previous care, imaging history, medical history, activity level, and goals. He may also evaluate range of motion, areas of tenderness, strength, swelling, joint function, and how your symptoms respond to certain movements or activities.
When appropriate, ultrasound may be used to support evaluation, treatment planning, or image-guided care. If you already have imaging, reports, records, or notes from previous treatment, those materials can help support a more complete conversation.
The goal is to understand both the joint condition and the way it is affecting your life.
Treatment Options for Osteoarthritis
Your treatment plan depends on your consultation and evaluation. Maple Medical may recommend one therapy or a coordinated plan depending on your condition, goals, and clinical needs.
PRP Therapy
PRP therapy uses platelet-rich plasma from your own blood. It may be considered for certain osteoarthritis-related joint concerns when a targeted regenerative option is appropriate.
Cell Therapy: MFAT & BMAC
Many patients searching for stem cell therapy are looking for biologic treatment options that use material from their own body. At Maple Medical, cell therapy may include MFAT, or microfragmented adipose tissue, and BMAC, or bone marrow aspirate concentrate, depending on the patient’s condition and evaluation.
For osteoarthritis, cell therapy candidacy depends on the joint involved, severity of symptoms, overall joint health, goals, and clinical evaluation.
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy uses acoustic energy to stimulate tissue response in targeted areas. For some osteoarthritis patients, it may be discussed when tendon, soft tissue, or related musculoskeletal factors are contributing to pain.
EMTT
EMTT, or electromagnetic transduction therapy, is a non-invasive energy-based treatment that may be used as part of a broader musculoskeletal recovery plan. It may be considered for certain patients with joint pain, stiffness, or soft tissue involvement depending on evaluation.
Ultrasound-Guided Injections
When appropriate, ultrasound guidance may be used to help visualize the treatment area and guide certain injections with greater precision.
Physical Therapy Coordination
Osteoarthritis care often benefits from strength, mobility, stability, gait mechanics, and movement support. Maple Medical may coordinate with physical therapists or work alongside your current provider when appropriate.
At-Home Support
Depending on your treatment plan, Dr. Blatz may recommend at-home red light therapy, activity guidance, follow-up care, or maintenance recommendations to support your overall care plan.
PRP vs. Cell Therapy vs. Shockwave and EMTT for Osteoarthritis
Patients often ask which osteoarthritis treatment is “best.” The answer depends on the joint, the severity of arthritis, the tissues involved, the patient’s goals, and the clinical evaluation.
- PRP therapy may be considered when a targeted blood-based regenerative option is appropriate.
- Cell Therapy: MFAT & BMAC may be considered for select patients looking for biologic treatment options that use material from their own body.
- Shockwave therapy and EMTT may be discussed when soft tissue, tendon, inflammation, stiffness, or musculoskeletal recovery factors are part of the broader picture.
These options are not interchangeable, and they are not right for every patient. Dr. Blatz will explain which treatment may fit your condition and why.
What to Expect During Your Consultation
Your consultation is designed to help you better understand your osteoarthritis symptoms and the options that may fit your needs.
Dr. Blatz will discuss your symptoms, prior care, activity goals, medical history, imaging history, and any records you provide. If regenerative medicine or another non-surgical option may be appropriate, he will explain why that treatment may fit your condition and what the process may involve.
If another type of care is a better fit, he will guide you honestly.
Many regenerative medicine treatments are not covered by insurance. Our team will review expected costs before treatment begins.
Osteoarthritis Care in Lake Oswego and the Portland Area
Maple Medical is located in Lake Oswego and serves patients from Portland and nearby communities who are looking for a more personalized, non-surgical approach to osteoarthritis care.
Patients often come to Maple Medical because they want to stay active, understand their options, and make informed decisions before considering more invasive care.
Take the Next Step
If osteoarthritis is limiting your movement, activity, comfort, or quality of life, Maple Medical can help you explore your options with a personalized consultation.
Our Lake Oswego team will help you better understand your symptoms and whether regenerative medicine or another non-surgical option may be appropriate for your needs.
