What is arthritis?

Arthritis is a chronic disease that affects the health and function of your joints. There are more than 100 types of arthritis, but the two most common are:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis causes the breakdown of the protective cartilage that lines the ends of the bones in your joint. Without healthy cartilage, your joint bones rub together and create friction that causes swelling and stiffness in your joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis

RA is a type of autoimmune disease. This kind of arthritis causes your immune system to mistakenly attack the otherwise healthy joint lining, leading to chronic inflammation. Over time, inflamed joints become harder to move and painful.

Your risk for arthritis increases as you age, if you’re obese, or if you have a history of joint injuries.

Osteoarthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition that can attack joints throughout the body. It commonly affects the joints and surrounding tendons of the wrist and fingers. It can cause the joints to become swollen, painful and possibly deformed. This can interfere with normal hand function and can significantly impact a person’s quality of life.

Treatment options include anti-inflammatory medications, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, and a class of drugs called biological response modifiers (commonly called biologics). A physician may recommend splints or braces, exercise, and modification of daily activities. If joint synovitis cannot be controlled with medications, or if the tendons of the hand and wrist become inflamed or weakened by the disease, surgery may be needed. Surgery may also be needed to correct deformities of the fingers that often result from the disease. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect other areas as well.

When should I seek treatment for arthritis?

Arthritis is a progressive disease. While your symptoms may start out as occasional and mild, they can intensify over time. You should schedule an evaluation at the University Pain and Spine Center if you experience:

  • Chronic pain
  • Persistent swelling
  • Loss of joint function
  • Noticeable joint deformity

You can also request a consultation if you have persistent joint pain that isn’t getting better with rest and over-the-counter medications.

While there’s no cure for arthritis, the right treatment can relieve your symptoms and ensure you enjoy high-quality, active life.

What treatments are available for arthritis?

Your University Pain and Spine Center doctor confirms that your symptoms relate to arthritis through a physical exam, X-rays, and other imaging tests. They customize a treatment plan based on the affected joint and how severe your pain. Options include:

Medication

Typically, initial treatment for arthritis involves anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medications to keep you comfortable.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy services may enhance your healing process and strengthen the muscles that support the affected joint.

Viscosupplementation

Viscosupplementation involves injections of a thick hyaluronate fluid into the affected joint. The fluid lubricates the joint structures to increase your mobility.

Joint injections

If oral medications aren’t enough to treat your symptoms, you may need ultrasound-guided injections of a numbing agent and anti-inflammatories directly into the affected joint.

Regenerative medicine

The University Pain and Spine Center offers platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapy. These innovative treatments trigger your body’s ability to regenerate healthy joint tissue and bone and ease arthritis pain and inflammation.

Prolotherapy is another type of regenerative medicine that involves injections of a natural irritant into inflamed joints to stimulate your body’s internal healing processes.

If chronic pain or joint stiffness limits your abilities, call the University Pain and Spine Center nearest you to book an appointment or request one online today.