What is Osteoarthritis?
There are many medical issues that plague individuals across the country, and in the world of orthopedics, osteoarthritis is a common issue that causes an abundance of problems for patients. Louis Gerena, MD, one of Holzer’s newest providers, has a lot of experience when it comes to issues such as osteoarthritis. He is a non-surgical orthopaedic and sports medicine physician who specializes in diagnosing and managing musculoskeletal and sports injuries including fractures, sprains, arthritis, tendon injuries, and exercise-related illnesses.
Prior to joining Holzer, Dr. Gerena was the team physician for Briarwood Christian High School, the University of West Alabama, and Birmingham-Southern College. He eventually moved back to Charleston, SC, where he worked at the Medical University of South Carolina and was the team physician for multiple professional and college teams, including the South Carolina Stingrays (hockey), Charleston RiverDogs (baseball), Charleston Battery (soccer), and the College of Charleston. Now, Dr. Gerena brings his wealth of experience to the Tri-State area and is eager to treat medical issues such as osteoarthritis.
Dr. Gerena talks about osteoarthritis, saying, “It is a degenerative disease that is very common. It is probably what I see the most for my non-surgical practice. With osteoarthritis, cartilage wears down over time. This is different from rheumatoid arthritis, which is a systemic inflammatory disease. With rheumatoid arthritis, you have global inflammation throughout the entire body. This inflammation attacks your cartilage and joints. Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, is more age dependent. A person’s cartilage wears down from all the years of use, especially if he or she engages in forceful activities. I compare this to when tires start to wear down as a vehicle gets more mileage. Eventually, after so many miles, tires become bald due to excessive usage. Then, you replace the tires.” 
There are many symptoms associated with osteoarthritis. Stiffness and swelling in the joints are common. People usually experience pain in their joints when engaging in normal activities, and in other cases, a person may experience pain the next day. Dr. Gerena states, “If you have a joint that is hot to the touch, then it could be an infection or rheumatoid arthritis.”
The ins and outs of the medical world can often be overwhelming, but Dr. Gerena takes pride in breaking down situations and providing patients with easy-to-understand materials. “I enjoy treating and helping people. I want them to get better. I also enjoy teaching. Education is power and allows us to be more prepared. For me, it is always beneficial to show patients the details surrounding osteoarthritis and other medical situations. I always try to show patients their lack of cushion on their X-rays or MRIs. This allows patients to see their cushion and where it should be. If a patient doesn’t have as much cushion, they must modify the way they perform tasks.”
There are always ways to manage your symptoms when it comes to a particular medical issue. A common misconception is that people should sit and relax when dealing with arthritis. In all actuality, people should be active. Dr. Gerena says, “Joints wants to move; that’s why they are built the way they are. If you want to keep your joints healthy and keep them from wearing down, you must exercise. Go outside and walk, or ride a stationary bike, or swim in a pool. Even something as simple as walking makes a huge difference. The more you move, the more blood flow will go to your remaining cartilage. As a result, your cartilage will be healthier.”
Weight control is extremely vital to joint health. If someone is overweight, there is more force bearing down on the joints. This creates potentially harmful situations where the joints get weaker due to the increased weight. Thus, if someone is healthier and in a better weight range, the joints will be less likely to deteriorate.
While middle to older aged people is the most common demographic that deals with osteoarthritis, it is possible for younger individuals to have osteoarthritis. “Younger people can have osteoarthritis if they have dealt with previous injuries. A few examples of injuries are ankle fractures, knee fracture dislocations, and ACL tears. Any type of trauma to the joint accelerates degradation. I have seen patients who tore their ACL in high school and now they are in their 30s with early osteoarthritis,” says Dr. Gerena.
Regardless of age, Dr. Gerena stresses the importance of seeing a primary care doctor on a consistent basis. Individuals should partake in yearly lab tests and screenings. These tests ensure that your vitamin D and calcium levels are normal and that your bone health is solid. Dr. Gerena proclaims, “Genetics play a big factor and cannot be reversed, but taking proper precautions can be very beneficial and reduce the risk of further injuries. Many people believe that most forms of arthritis require a replacement, but that is not always the case. Sometimes, it may be mild arthritis, which means a person may experience flare ups from time to time. However, if people perform the right tasks, they can decrease said flare ups.”
Overall, Dr. Gerena is proud to be part of the community and is determined to provide quality care. He says, “I want this community to have even more resources. I also want to help Kelly Roush, DC, expand our sports care and management for our local high schools and colleges. It is extremely important that athletes know what they are dealing with, so they do not have serious medical problems when they are adults.”
Dr. Gerena implores anyone to visit his office if they are having issues. “If you have chronic joint pain, please see us so we can diagnose the problem and create a treatment plan. Holzer is a fantastic place. We take the time to get to know everyone and value the importance of addressing concerns immediately.”
Dr. Gerena is located at the Holzer Gallipolis Campus at 100 Jackson Pike, Gallipolis, OH. Additionally, Dr. Gerena is the team doctor for South Gallia High School.
