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Osteoarthritis Treatment in Rowlett, TX

Your knee crunches when you stand up. Your hip aches after a long walk. Your hands are stiff and sore, especially in the morning or after gripping something tightly. You’ve been told it’s “just arthritis” or “part of getting older,” but the pain is real and it’s affecting how you live.

Dr. Frances Lomibao provides osteoarthritis treatment in Rowlett, TX for patients across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. She doesn’t dismiss your pain as inevitable aging. She evaluates what’s actually happening in your joints and builds a management plan that reduces pain, preserves mobility, and slows progression.

Call 469-825-4010 Request Appointment

Why See a Rheumatologist for Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is common, but that doesn't make it simple. A rheumatologist brings specialized training in joint disease that goes beyond what most primary care visits can offer. Dr. Lomibao can distinguish OA from inflammatory arthritis (which requires very different treatment), identify when joint damage needs more aggressive intervention, and catch secondary conditions that accelerate joint breakdown.

She's also the right specialist when OA overlaps with other rheumatic conditions, which happens more often than people realize.

What Osteoarthritis Does to Your Joints

OA is the breakdown of cartilage, the smooth, rubbery tissue that cushions the ends of your bones. As cartilage wears away, bones start grinding against each other. That causes pain, stiffness, swelling, and eventually loss of motion.

It most commonly affects the knees, hips, hands (especially the base of the thumb), and spine. Unlike autoimmune arthritis, OA is driven by mechanical wear, though inflammation plays a bigger role than researchers previously thought.

How Dr. Lomibao Evaluates Osteoarthritis

Clinical Assessment

Dr. Lomibao examines your affected joints, assesses range of motion, checks for bony enlargements or crepitus (that crunching sensation), and listens to how the pain impacts your activities.

Imaging

X-rays reveal joint space narrowing, bone spurs, and cartilage loss. In some cases, additional imaging helps rule out inflammatory conditions that can look similar to OA.

Rule Out Inflammatory Arthritis

This is critical. OA and autoimmune arthritis (like RA or PsA) can coexist or be confused. Dr. Lomibao may order bloodwork to make sure your treatment plan matches the right diagnosis.

Personalized Management Plan

She discusses your options, from conservative measures to injections, and helps you understand what will provide the most benefit at your current stage.

Osteoarthritis Treatment Options

Targeted Exercise and Physical Therapy

Strengthening the muscles around affected joints reduces load on damaged cartilage. Dr. Lomibao recommends specific types of movement based on which joints are involved.

Anti-Inflammatory and Pain Medications

Topical and oral anti-inflammatory medications can manage pain. Dr. Lomibao helps you find the most effective option with the fewest side effects for your situation.

Joint Injections

Corticosteroid injections provide targeted relief for individual joints with significant pain or swelling. These are performed in-office during your visit.

Weight Management Support

Every extra pound puts roughly 4 additional pounds of pressure on your knees. Even modest weight loss can meaningfully reduce OA symptoms, especially in the knees and hips.

Bracing and Assistive Devices

Knee braces, thumb splints, and ergonomic tools can reduce strain on affected joints during daily activities.

Surgical Referral When Appropriate

When conservative management isn't enough, Dr. Lomibao coordinates with orthopedic surgeons for joint replacement evaluation. She helps you understand when surgery makes sense and what to expect.

Signs Your Joint Pain Needs a Specialist's Attention

Pain That's Limiting Your Daily Activities

If knee pain stops you from walking the grocery store, or hand stiffness makes it hard to open jars, that's not something to tough out. It's a signal your current approach isn't working.

Over-the-Counter Medications Aren't Cutting It

If you're maxing out on ibuprofen or acetaminophen and still hurting, there are better options. A specialist can offer more targeted approaches.

Joint Swelling or Warmth

While OA is primarily a wear-and-tear condition, inflamed OA with swelling and warmth can mimic inflammatory arthritis. Sorting that out matters for treatment.

Stiffness Getting Progressively Worse

OA tends to progress over time. If your mobility is declining noticeably, earlier intervention can slow that trajectory.

You Want to Avoid or Delay Surgery

Many patients are told they need a joint replacement before trying a comprehensive non-surgical approach. Dr. Lomibao explores all conservative options first.

Frequently Asked Questions About Osteoarthritis

Can osteoarthritis be reversed?

Cartilage doesn’t regenerate on its own. But proper treatment can significantly slow progression, reduce pain, and preserve joint function for years.

What's the difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis?

OA is mechanical wear-and-tear of cartilage. RA is an autoimmune disease where your immune system attacks the joint lining. They feel different, progress differently, and require different treatments. Dr. Lomibao can distinguish between them.

Does cracking my knuckles cause osteoarthritis?

No. Studies have consistently shown that knuckle cracking does not increase OA risk. Joint loading, genetics, previous injuries, and body weight are the real risk factors.

Should I stop exercising if I have OA?

Definitely not. The right exercise reduces OA pain and improves function. Avoiding movement actually makes things worse. The key is choosing joint-friendly activities, like swimming, cycling, and walking, while avoiding high-impact repetitive stress.

When should I consider joint replacement?

When conservative treatments no longer provide adequate relief and joint damage significantly limits your quality of life. Dr. Lomibao helps you weigh that decision thoughtfully.

You don’t have to accept joint pain as your new normal. Call Lomibao Rheumatology and Wellness Care at 469-825-4010 to schedule your osteoarthritis evaluation in Rowlett, TX.

Lomibao Rheumatology

Address: 6842 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 100 Rowlett, TX 75088

Phone: (469) 825-4010

Email: scheduling@lomibaorheumatology.com