Arthritis
Arthritis is one of the most common chronic conditions in the United States, affecting more than 54 million adults.
There are more than 100 types of arthritis, all of which cause inflammation in one or more joints. Arthritis causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness that can make everyday tasks, such as opening a jar or getting into and out of a chair, extremely difficult.
What is arthritis?
We treat various types of arthritis, including:
Osteoarthritis
This is the most common type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that occurs when the slippery cartilage that pads the ends of your bones wears down. This wear-and-tear damage may develop slowly over many years, or an injury may accelerate it.
Rheumatoid arthritis
The second-most common type of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes your body to attack the tissue that lines your joint capsule (synovial membrane). This progressive disease can eventually destroy cartilage and bone as well.
Who gets arthritis?
Arthritis affects people of all ages, even children. However, your risk of most types of the disease, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, increases with age.
Other factors that may increase your risk of arthritis include:
- A family history of arthritis
- Previous joint injuries
- Being overweight or obese
- Athletes and people who have jobs that require repetitive physical movements, such as construction, may also be more susceptible to developing arthritis.
How is arthritis diagnosed and treated?
First, we will perform a physical exam and carefully check your joints for signs of arthritis, like redness and swelling. We may ask you to move your joints to evaluate your range of motion.
We may also take diagnostic tests, including:
- Blood tests
- On-site digital X-ray
- Ultrasound
- CT scan
- MRI
Then, we will develop a personalized treatment plan to relieve your joint pain and improve your mobility. Depending on the type and severity of your arthritis, treatment may include:
- Physical therapy
- Pain-relieving medications
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Therapeutic joint injections
If your arthritis symptoms don’t improve with conservative treatment, we may recommend surgery.
