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. At first, osteoarthritis wears down the smooth cartilage that covers the end of the joint. 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 own immune system to attack the joint tissue lining. Eventually, this condition spreads across the joint and deforms it. This condition causes severe pain and swelling along with various other problems with the organs of the body. 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 negative 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 notice decreased range of motion in the affected joints, making 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 cause joint deformities and a loss of function. Osteoarthritis, the most common form, often affects weight-bearing joints like 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 the symptoms and improving the function of the joint. Patients may need a combination of treatments to determine what works best for them.

This may involve a combination of medication, physical therapy, lifestyle changes, and sometimes surgery to manage symptoms and improve joint function. Doctors often prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and inflammation. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologics are used for autoimmune forms of arthritis like 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, including maintaining a healthy weight and adopting a balanced diet, can alleviate stress on joints. Incorporating low-impact exercises like 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 essential for managing arthritis effectively and maintaining a good 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 auto-immune issue, these drugs will slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis, possibly saving the joints and tissues from permanent damage.

Arthritis Surgery and Therapy

Some patients find Physical therapy highly beneficial. Exercises that improve the range of motion and strengthen the muscles around joints can take pressure off of 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 more for smaller joints, such as vertebrae, wrist joints, ankle joints, and fingers. It removes the ends of the two bones in the joint and then locks those ends together until they heal into one rigid unit.

If you would like to speak to an Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Specialist, give us a call at 817-697-4038, or contact us over the web. Tele-medicine appointments are also available.