What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a group of joint diseases that causes joint swelling and tenderness. It’s the leading cause of disability in the United States. Of the more than 100 types of arthritis and arthritis-related conditions, the most common are:
- Osteoarthritis, related to an injury or aging
- Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease
- Infectious arthritis
- Gout, associated with uric acid buildup
- Psoriatic arthritis, affecting people with psoriasis
While your risk of arthritis increases with age, it can happen to anybody. Juvenile arthritis is a form of rheumatoid arthritis that occurs in children.
What are the symptoms of arthritis?
Symptoms of arthritis affect your joints — especially your ankles, knees, hips, elbows, and shoulders — and the way you feel overall. The following signs and symptoms indicate arthritis:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Decreased range of motion
Over time, prolonged joint swelling can reduce your mobility, lead to severe joint deformities, and cause problems with your eyes and other organs.
What are the risk factors for arthritis?
Arthritis can affect anybody, but certain factors increase your risk of developing it. Examples include:
- Older age
- Being a woman
- Obesity
- Having a previous joint injury
- A family history of arthritis
If you have symptoms of arthritis or risk factors associated with it, the team at Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute can diagnose your condition and help you manage the disease to reduce or eliminate complications.
How is arthritis treated?
At Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute, an experienced pain management specialist reviews your medical history and symptoms, completes a physical examination, and can order imaging or blood tests to determine which type of arthritis you have.
Your personalized treatment plan depends on your diagnosis. Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute offers a wide range of solutions, including cortisone injections to treat inflammation and pain. They may also recommend hyaluronic acid injections to increase lubrication between the joints. Physiotherapy and bracing are also available.
In addition, the practice provides platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) therapy, which uses the regenerative properties of your blood to accelerate healing.
Don’t let joint stiffness, swelling, and pain from arthritis go untreated when simple solutions are available at Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute. Call the office for an appointment today or use the online booking tool.
