What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a condition that affects the joints in your body. While there are over 100 different types of arthritis, there are two specific types that affect people most often:
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a condition that causes the breakdown of the protective cartilage that covers the ends of your bones. This allows bones to rub together, creating friction that results in chronic stiffness and pain.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition that causes your immune system to mistakenly attack the healthy lining of your joints, causing chronic inflammation and pain.
Arthritis is a progressive disease that ultimately can lead to bone damage, deformities, and disability.
What are the risk factors for arthritis?
You may be more likely to develop arthritis if you have a family history of the disease. Other common risk factors for arthritis include:
- Age
- Obesity
- Previous joint injury
Women are especially prone to developing rheumatoid arthritis, while men are more likely to develop gout, a type of arthritis that develops when there are high levels of uric acid in the blood, causing sudden, severe episodes of pain and chronic swelling.
How is arthritis diagnosed?
To determine if your symptoms relate to arthritis, Dr. Soin performs a physical exam, testing your joints for swelling and tenderness. He also evaluates your range of motion and may order imaging tests, like X-rays or a CT scan, to assess the damage in your joints.
Dr. Soin may request blood work to rule out infections and other underlying medical conditions that can affect your joint health.
How is arthritis treated?
Taking a holistic approach to pain relief, Dr. Soin offers custom treatments for arthritis. He avoids the use of narcotics whenever possible and may recommend other types of therapies like:
- Nerve blocks
- Physical therapy
- Anti-inflammatory medications
If you have moderate to severe joint damage as the result of arthritis, Dr. Soin may recommend minimally invasive surgical techniques to repair or remove the damaged parts of your joints.
You should also make modifications to your lifestyle to improve your overall health and the strength of your muscles that support your joints. Dr. Soin can recommend at-home exercises and a nutritious diet to help you maintain an ideal body weight and alleviate unnecessary pressure on your affected joints.
Learn more about your options for treating chronic joint pain due to arthritis. You can book an appointment online now or by calling Ohio Pain Clinic today.
