Arthritis Specialist

What is arthritis?

Arthritis isn’t a single condition, but rather a catchall term for a number of different diseases that affect your joints. The most common forms of arthritis include:

Osteoarthritis

By far the most prevalent form of the disease, osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that leads to the deterioration of your cartilage.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Considered an autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis is a condition in which your immune system mistakenly attacks your joints.

Psoriatic arthritis

This form of arthritis is also an autoimmune issue in which your body attacks your joints.

There are other forms of arthritis, including gout and infectious arthritis, but the above three represent the lion’s share of diagnoses.

Where does arthritis typically strike?

While arthritis can affect any of your joints, some are more prone than others, especially when it comes to degenerative arthritis. Typically, your major joints are the ones that most often feel the greatest effects of arthritis. These include your:

• Hips
• Knees
• Shoulders
• Back, including your thoracic and lumbar spine
• Neck, which is your cervical spine

Again, arthritis can strike any joint, but its impact is usually much larger when it comes to your major joints.

What causes arthritis?

Since there are many different forms of arthritis, there’s no single cause for the condition. When it comes to osteoarthritis, age and wear and tear are the two biggest contributors, while inflammatory arthritis is typically caused by genetics and environment.

The bottom line is that there are a lot of forces and risk factors that contribute to arthritis, but the end result is often the same: painful and stiff joints.

How is arthritis treated?

There’s no single cause of arthritis, and there’s no cure for the condition either. That said, the doctors at Restore Orthopedics and Spine Center have a number of tools that help you better manage the condition, all with the goal of getting you back to a healthy and active lifestyle.

Once your doctor determines the extent of your arthritis, they work with you to alleviate your discomfort and help you regain full movement of your joints. This often takes a multi-pronged approach that can include:

• Interventional pain management
• Measures to control inflammation
• Steroid injections
• Physical therapy
• Lifestyle changes
• Regenerative medicine, such as stem cell and platelet-rich plasma therapies

If your joint is severely deteriorated, you may need a surgical solution. Rest assured, the team of orthopedic surgeons has extensive experience in joint repair and replacement, helping patients get back to their lives with freedom of movement and an end to the pain.

If you’re suffering from arthritis, call Restore Orthopedics and Spine Center, or fill out the online form to request a consultation.