Arthritis

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is the collective term for over 100 different diseases that cause inflammation and pain in your joints. Osteoarthritis — the degenerative type of arthritis — is the most prevalent form of the disease. Rheumatoid arthritis and gout are other common types of arthritis.

Your joints include bones, connective tissue such as ligaments and tendons, cartilage, and synovial lining. The ligaments and tendons connect your bones and muscles, providing support and movement. Your cartilage cushions your bones and lubricates the joints for frictionless movement. The synovial lining produces a fluid that provides additional lubrication and cushioning. 

Arthritis can affect any part of your joint, ultimately leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. 

What causes arthritis?

Many factors contribute to the development of arthritis. Your genetics and medical history almost always factor into your risk of arthritis. Additionally, each type of arthritis has its own causes. 

For example, osteoarthritis is often due to wear and tear on your joints. If you have a physically demanding career or are overweight, you put more stress on your joints which can cause the cartilage to wear away.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that attacks your synovial lining and causes inflammation and pain. Additionally, your diet and other lifestyle factors contribute to the build-up of uric acid crystals in your joints that cause gout.

How is arthritis treated?

Republic Spine and Pain offers highly customized treatment plans to relieve your arthritis pain and restore your overall health. The expert interventional pain management specialists apply an integrative approach to medicine, aiming to enhance your overall health instead of focusing on your symptoms or disease. 

Treatment plans are multidisciplinary and combine a variety of treatments to address your specific needs. For example, your doctor may recommend:

• Medication management
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit
• Compounded creams
• Physical therapy
• Cortisone injections
• Viscosupplementation (for knees)

Your doctor may also recommend complementary therapies such as acupuncture. They also recommend lifestyle modifications. For example, they may recommend dietary adjustments or adding exercise not only to help you lose weight to reduce the pressure on your joints but also increase the strength and flexibility in the muscles surrounding your joints for improved support. 

If you have joint pain and it’s interfering with your quality of life, call Republic Spine and Pain or make an appointment online today for customized pain relief.