Arthritis Specialist

Arthritis Q & A

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is the most common chronic joint disease and the leading cause of disability in the United States. Arthritis symptoms surrounding the affected joints include:

• Inflammation
• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Pain
• Limited range of motion

Sometimes arthritis symptoms come and go, and they often progress and get worse over time. When severe arthritis causes chronic pain, it can be challenging to complete daily activities, or move around easily. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which affects your knee joints and makes it very painful to walk.

What are the different types and causes of arthritis?

Since there are over 100 different types of arthritis, there are numerous causes as well. Some common types of arthritis and their causes include:

Osteoarthritis

The result of wear-and-tear on your joints, osteoarthritis often worsens as you get older. The cartilage around your joints deteriorates as you age, and you may experience bone-on-bone rubbing together as the cartilage around your knee or other joints becomes damaged.

Rheumatoid arthritis

This type of arthritis is actually caused by a problem with your body’s immune system. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system attacks the lining that surrounds your joints, causing it to swell, and can affect other organs if left untreated. Rheumatoid arthritis can progress and become extremely debilitating, eventually destroying the bone inside your joint as well as the surrounding cartilage.

Gout

This type of arthritis usually causes pain in your joints, commonly found in the big toe, and is the result of the buildup of uric acid in your system. It can lead to joint damage and kidney problems if left untreated.

How is arthritis pain treated?

The type of arthritis you have determines your treatment options. The team at the Hirsh Center performs a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation of your arthritis symptoms and the severity of your condition. They recommend a variety of therapies based on your individual condition to help relieve pain and make it easier for you to complete daily activities.

This patient-focused medical team concentrates on improving your overall quality of life so you can get back to doing what you love, rather than your arthritis pain. Some of the treatments and therapies you may benefit from include:

• Ultrasound-guided steroid injections
• Ultrasound-guided viscosupplementation injections to lubricate arthritic joints
• Prescription medications
• Customized braces and splints

Arthritis is a degenerative condition, but you can get effective treatment in a caring, compassionate environment to minimize pain and inflammation and restore mobility.

To learn more about how you can manage this condition long term, call the office or schedule a consultation online.