Arthritis

What is arthritis?

There are more than 100 diseases that come under the umbrella of arthritis. The distinguishing factor of any type of arthritis is joint damage, and while some types of arthritis are extremely rare, there are two in particular that affect most of the 54 million Americans who have some form of arthritis:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a condition that results from wear and tear of the joints. Because it’s a degenerative condition, damage occurs slowly, so most people who have osteoarthritis are in their middle years or older, but it can happen when you’re younger.

Osteoarthritis arises from the degeneration of the cartilage that lines the ends of the bones in a joint. The cartilage enables bones to make contact without friction, but as the years go by, the cartilage thins and deteriorates, leading to inflammation. Eventually, the cartilage can wear away and leave exposed bones rubbing against each other.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis, in contrast, develops because of a dysfunction in the immune system that causes it to attack the synovium lining the joints. As the tissue deteriorates, the bones in the joints begin to rub together, resulting in similar symptoms to those seen in osteoarthritis.

What are the symptoms of arthritis?

Some symptoms of the different types of arthritis may be specific to those conditions, for example, people who have rheumatoid arthritis can experience additional symptoms such as pericarditis, skin nodules, and dry eye.

However, joint pain, inflammation, and stiffness are common to all forms of arthritis. When you have arthritis, the affected joints typically:

• Feel hot

• Look swollen

• Start to throb

• Begin to twist or look lumpy

Arthritis reduces function in the affected joints as well. For example, your ability to grip may diminish if you have arthritis in your hands, or you may find it hard to stand if you’ve been kneeling or sitting when you have arthritis in your knees or hips.

How is arthritis treated?

There isn’t a cure for arthritis yet, but the team at Expedient Medical, PLLC, have a range of treatments available that can relieve your symptoms and help you regain function in your joints.

Pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medications have a role to play in managing arthritis and can be invaluable when you’re having a flare-up of pain. The best outcomes, however, are seen in patients who follow a tailored plan that combines judicious use of medication and a healthy lifestyle with treatments such as:

• Physical therapy

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

• Behavior modification

• Relaxation techniques

• Hyaluronic acid injections

• Immune system suppressants (for rheumatoid arthritis)

• Steroid injections

There are also many natural and herbal remedies said to help with arthritis, such as chondroitin, glucosamine, fish oil, and curcumin supplements. Always speak with your doctor at Expedient Medical, PLLC, before starting supplements as they may interfere with medications you are taking.

Find out how you can reduce the pain and debility of arthritis by calling the office today to make an appointment or book online.