Arthritis & Osteoarthritis Treatment in Orange County
Offering Award-Winning Orthopedic Care
When it comes to effective arthritis and orthopedic care, you deserve treatment from renowned experts. At Hoag Orthopedic Institute, you will meet with a board certified orthopedist who can diagnose and treat your affected joints.
During a physical exam, your doctor will check your affected painful joints for swelling, flexibility, tenderness, and redness. Imaging tests may be ordered to get detailed images of the inner structures of the affected joint(s), including X-rays. Although X-rays only show the hard tissue (bones) underneath the skin, it can reveal there is a narrowing of the space between the joint’s bone, suggesting possible osteoarthritis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans may also be useful to provide more information in complex cases, as they produce detailed images of the soft tissues, including the patient’s cartilage.
Lab tests may also be ordered for arthritis, such as blood tests to rule out other potential conditions that mimic arthritis. A lab test can also pinpoint the specific type of arthritis you have, as each type has specific treatment protocols that are unique to your needs.
What Is Osteoarthritis?
Known as the “wear and tear” form of arthritis, osteoarthritis is the most common form of the condition, and results from cartilage cushions between the ends of bones gradually disintegrating, leading to pain and stiffness worsening over time. Most people affected with osteoarthritis are middle-aged, and although there is no cure for the condition, many pain management treatments are effective. The most commonly affected joints in the body include the knees, hips, and spine.
These joints commonly affected by osteoarthritis - instead of having ample smooth cartilage allowing the bones to glide easily against each other - gradually have little or no cartilage, and are bone-against bone with now a frayed, rough surface and no cushion between the bones.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis worsen over time, and often include:
Surgical Treatment for Arthritis
The main surgical procedure to repair arthritis joint replacement (arthroplasty). In this procedure, your surgeon removes the damaged joint surfaces and replaces them with plastic and metal implants to restore the integrity of the joint.
Hoag Orthopedic Institute has been ranked as “High Performing” by U.S. News & World Report for Hip and Knee Replacements in 2020-2021. And, HOI has performed the highest number of joint replacement procedures in the state of California for eight consecutive years.1 You will be in expert hands if you choose to have your joint replacement surgery at HOI.
Frequently Asked Questions
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At your first appointment, you’ll meet with a board-certified, fellowship-trained sports medicine doctor who will take the time to understand your injury, training demands, and performance goals. You'll have a detailed discussion of your symptoms, medical history, and any imaging or test results you bring. Next, your sports medicine specialist will perform a focused physical exam to assess strength, range of motion, and joint stability.
If additional insight is needed, advanced imaging, such as X-rays, MRI, or ultrasound, can be arranged on-site. Together, you’ll review the findings, explore treatment options, and decide on the next steps. Before you leave, our sports injury doctor will design a personalized treatment plan to maximize your recovery and return to your sport safely and confidently.
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When you're ready to meet with an experienced sports medicine doctor at Hoag Orthopedic Institute, call (949) 890-0464 or complete our online request form. We’ll match you with the orthopedic sports medicine specialist best suited to your needs and help arrange any imaging or records in advance.
From your very first visit, you’ll have access to a dedicated team of sports medicine specialists and the latest diagnostic tools and advanced treatment options to get you back to your sport safely and with confidence.
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Our award-winning team of orthopedic sports medicine specialists treats injuries ranging from sprains and tendonitis to complex ligament tears, fractures, and joint damage. HOI’s sports medicine doctors do not just treat an injury—they dig deeper to diagnose any underlying issues to get patients back to doing what they love sooner.
HOI sports medicine doctors start with non-surgical options whenever possible, including seamless access to imaging, physical therapy and performance specialists, bracing, activity modification, and image-guided injections to reduce pain and speed your healing.
When surgery is your best path forward, our orthopedic sports surgeons perform procedures such as arthroscopic ligament reconstruction, rotator cuff repair, cartilage restoration, and others.
Our sports medicine surgeons use the most advanced minimally invasive techniques designed to restore full function and support long-term performance while preserving the healthy surrounding tissues.
We customize your treatment to your sport and performance goals, helping you recover fully, protect against re-injury, and return to play with confidence.
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At Hoag Orthopedic Institute, our board-certified, fellowship-trained sports medicine doctors, orthopedic surgeons, and rehabilitation specialists bring advanced expertise to diagnosing and treating sports-related injuries. Whether you’re a competitive athlete or simply embrace an active lifestyle, our sports medicine specialists design your care around your performance goals and your long-term health. Unlike primary care sports medicine doctors who typically see just a small number of sports injuries, HOI’s sports medicine team only treat sports medicine injuries and conditions—day in and day out.
When you need surgery, our sports orthopedic surgeons use the most advanced technology and non-operative treatment options to achieve exceptional accuracy in repair and reconstruction to help safeguard healthy tissues, restore proper mechanics, and support a faster, more confident return to play.
From your first consultation through recovery, you’ll work with a team that understands the demands of your sport and is committed to getting you back to doing what you love—safely and at your highest level.
