ARTHRITIS
If you suffer from deteriorative arthritis, please Schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists as soon as possible.
What Is Arthritis?
This condition causes tenderness and swelling in the joints due to inflammation; it also may affect patients of any age, including children, teenagers, and younger adults. Symptoms tend to increase gradually over time, although they can occasionally appear suddenly. Arthritis most often develops in overweight patients and more often in women than in men.
What Are The Different Types of Arthritis?
The term “Arthritis” can apply to around 200 different conditions affecting the joints, surrounding tissues, and other connective tissues. The two most common forms include rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Both forms of arthritis produce different symptoms and require different kinds of treatments.
The most common form, Osteoarthritis, affects around 10% of men and 13% of women over the age of 60 and often develops in people around the age of 40 years or older. It more commonly develops in women or those predisposed to the affliction. Initially, osteoarthritis wears down the smooth cartilage that covers the ends of the joints. This makes mobility more difficult, which results in stiffness and discomfort. Ultimately, osteoarthritis results in the inflammation and the forming of bone spurs, or osteophytes, and most commonly affects the hands, hips, and knees. Sometimes confused with Osteoporosis.
Separate from Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis refers to an autoimmune disorder that causes the patient’s immune system to attack the joint tissue lining. Eventually, this condition spreads across the joint and causes it to deform. This condition causes severe pain and swelling, along with various other problems affecting the body’s organs. In the United States, rheumatoid arthritis affects nearly 1.5 million Americans and also affects women 3 times more likely than men. Other forms also include gout, ankylosing spondylitis, lupus, cervical spondylosis, facet arthritis, fibromyalgia, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, septic arthritis, etc. Chondromalacia Patella is not a form of arthritis; however, it can potentially contribute to the adverse effects of the condition.
What Are The Symptoms Of Arthritis?
Arthritis symptoms often include joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. Patients frequently report a persistent aching pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest. Stiffness, particularly in the morning or after periods of inactivity, can make it difficult to move the affected joints. Swelling around the joints is common, leading to tenderness and discomfort.
Many individuals with arthritis experience a decreased range of motion in the affected joints, which makes everyday activities challenging. Redness and warmth around the joint may also occur, indicating inflammation. In some types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, symptoms can include fatigue, fever, and a general feeling of malaise.
As arthritis progresses, it can lead to joint deformities and a loss of joint function. Osteoarthritis, the most common form, often affects weight-bearing joints, such as the knees and hips, while rheumatoid arthritis typically involves smaller joints in the hands and feet. Recognizing these symptoms early is crucial for effective management and treatment.
Arthritis Treatment
Arthritis treatments focus on reducing symptoms and improving joint function. Patients may need a combination of treatments to determine what works best for them.
This may involve a combination of medication, physical therapy, lifestyle modifications, and, in some cases, surgery to manage symptoms and enhance joint function. Doctors often prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and inflammation. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologics are used to treat autoimmune forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, to slow disease progression.
Physical therapy plays a crucial role in treatment, helping patients improve their range of motion, strengthen muscles around the joints, and maintain overall joint function. Regular exercise, tailored to individual capabilities, helps reduce stiffness and pain.
Lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy weight and adopting a balanced diet, can help alleviate stress on joints. Incorporating low-impact exercises, such as swimming or cycling, can be beneficial.
In severe cases where joint damage is significant, doctors may recommend surgical options such as joint replacement or joint fusion. Early diagnosis and a comprehensive treatment plan are crucial for effectively managing arthritis and maintaining a high quality of life.
Medications
Commonly used medications include:
- NSAIDs. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Examples include ibuprofen and naproxen sodium.
- Counterirritants. Rubbing ointments that contain menthol or capsaicin on the arthritic joint may soothe the transmission of pain signals from the joint itself.
- Steroids. Corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone, reduce inflammation and pain and slow joint damage. Physicians can also inject Corticosteroids directly into the painful joint. These treatments can offer extreme pain relief, albeit only temporarily.
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). As Rheumatoid Arthritis results from an autoimmune issue, these drugs can slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis, potentially saving the joints and tissues from permanent damage.
Arthritis Surgery and Therapy
Some patients find Physical therapy highly beneficial. Exercises that improve range of motion and strengthen the muscles surrounding joints can help alleviate pressure on the joint. In some cases, a combination of steroid injections and physical therapy can reduce inflammation and build muscle to the point where patients can avoid a previously necessary surgery.
If all conservative measures have failed, doctors may suggest various surgeries, including:
- Joint repair. In some cases, surgeons can smooth or realign the joint surfaces to reduce pain and improve the function of the connecting tissues. Surgeons often perform these surgeons arthroscopically through small incisions.
- Joint replacement. This procedure entirely removes the damaged joint and replaces it with an artificial joint. Joint specialists most often replace hips and knees in this manner.
- Joint fusion. Surgeons often use this procedure for smaller joints, such as those in the vertebrae, wrist, ankle, and fingers. It removes the ends of the two bones in the joint and then secures those ends together until they heal into a single, rigid unit.
If you would like to speak with an Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Specialist, please call us at 817-697-4038 or contact us online. Telemedicine appointments are also available.
