Arthritis

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis involves inflammation in one or more of your joints. There are over 100 types of arthritis, but the most common include:

• Osteoarthritis: The most common form of the disease, osteoarthritis occurs when wear-and-tear damage causes the cartilage in your joints to break down. Cartilage is the slippery tissue that cushions your bones where they meet at joints. When cartilage damage is severe, your bones may grind against one another.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that causes your body to attack the tissue that lines your joint capsule (synovium). Eventually, this progressive disease may also destroy cartilage.

What are the Symptoms of Arthritis?

Joint pain and stiffness are the most common symptoms of arthritis. This disease can affect any joint, but you’re most likely to develop arthritis in the knees, hips, lower back, and feet.

In addition to joint pain, common symptoms of arthritis include swelling, redness, and a decreased range of motion. Arthritis can make it difficult, or even impossible, to perform daily activities such as climbing stairs or getting into and out of a chair.

Who Gets Arthritis?

People of all ages can get arthritis, even children. However, the risk of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, the most prevalent forms of the disease, increases with age. Other factors that may increase your risk of arthritis include:

• Family history of arthritis
• Previous joint injury
• Obesity

Arthritis is also more common among people with other chronic health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease.

How Do You Diagnose and Treat Arthritis?

First, your provider at Commonwealth Orthopaedic Associates performs a thorough physical exam and reviews your medical history. They check your joints for signs of arthritis such as swelling and reduced mobility.

They may also take blood tests or imaging tests such as an X-ray or ultrasound. These tests help them diagnose your specific type of arthritis and assess the severity of your condition.

Then, the team at Commonwealth Orthopaedic Associates develops a personalized treatment plan to reduce your arthritis symptoms. Depending on your needs, arthritis treatment may include:

• Medications to relieve pain
• Physical therapy to improve range of motion
• Joint repair or replacement surgery

The expert team at Commonwealth Orthopaedic Associates specializes in all types of joint replacement procedures. To learn more, call or book an appointment online today.