Arthritis

What is arthritis?

There are many types of arthritis, which is the leading cause of chronic joint pain. Of the nearly 100 varieties, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis tends to be a condition of older age because it results from the effects of wear-and-tear on your joints over the years. There are subtypes of osteoarthritis that develop in younger people, usually triggered by some form of trauma.

When you have osteoarthritis, it means the slippery coating of cartilage that protects the ends of your bones has worn down. Instead of sliding painlessly against one another, your bones catch and rub, creating friction that causes pain and stiffness.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Although it causes similar symptoms as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis has entirely different causes. It’s an autoimmune disorder, which means your body attacks perfectly normal cells and tissues as though they were a threat.

With rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system destroys the joint linings, resulting in inflammation and often severe joint distortion. This inflammatory type of arthritis also affects other systems in your body, such as your skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and kidneys.

How can arthritis affect my life?

Whatever form of arthritis you have, it’s bound to have a significant impact on your life. Arthritis pain tends to be constant or almost so, varying in intensity but rarely going away. The pain is a deep, gnawing ache that also makes your joints feel hot and swollen.

Symptoms tend to worsen if you do physical activities that are out of the ordinary for you. They can also be worse when you’re under stress or when the weather’s wet and cold. 

Over time, arthritis worsens to a point where you find it difficult to manage everyday tasks because of the pain, stiffness, and increasing weakness in your joints.

Without expert treatment, arthritis can eventually leave you severely disabled.

What treatments can help my arthritis?

There isn’t a cure for arthritis, but Interventional Pain Management Associates offers a range of effective treatments.

After conducting a comprehensive exam and looking at the results of diagnostic imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans, the team can create a suitable treatment plan that meets your precise needs.  

Your plan may include:

• Lifestyle changes
• Weight loss
• Stress management
• Painkilling and anti-inflammatory medications
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Joint injections
• Physical therapy
• Pain management counseling
• PRP injections

PRP is a type of regenerative medicine that uses natural healing cells to help repair tissue damage.

If you have arthritis, you can stay mobile and keep pain under control with the help of the Interventional Pain Management Associates team. To schedule an appointment, call the office or book one online today.