As you grow older, you may develop various medical conditions such as arthritis which may cause you to experience pain and inflammation in your joints. Taking part in mild activities such as walking around may be difficult and can cause discomfort. If these symptoms of arthritis define your life, Dr. Jaymes Granata in Las Vegas can help diagnose your condition and recommend an ideal treatment plan.
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a condition characterized by pain and stiffness in your joints which may worsen when you advance in age. Two main types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid. However, there are other different forms which include:
- Gout
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Reactive arthritis
- Thumb arthritis
- Septic arthritis
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
Some factors may increase your risk of developing arthritis. For example:
- Your sex. Rheumatoid arthritis highly occurs in women while men are at a higher risk of developing gout, a type of arthritis.
- Family history. Arthritis may run in families. You may develop arthritis if your parents or siblings are affected by this condition.
- Age. You are likely to develop other forms of arthritis-like gout as your get older.
- Obesity. When you are overweight, your body exerts pressure on your hips, knees, and spine and may increase your chances of developing arthritis.
- Joint injury. If your joint is injured, you may be at risk of getting arthritis.
Your doctor at Battle Born Bone will conduct a physical exam to check for any redness or swelling in your joints. He may use a laboratory test to analyze your blood, urine, or joint fluid, which will help establish the type of arthritis you might be having. Other imaging tests that your specialist may use include:
- Computerized tomography (CT). This testing allows your doctor to view your joints from different angles.
- X-ray. Your specialist may use this test to see bone damage, cartilage loss, and the progression of arthritis.
- Ultrasound. This includes the use of high-frequency sound waves to produce images of your cartilage and tissues close to the joints.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This test involves radio waves to give more detailed images of your joints.
Your doctor will recommend treatment for you based on the results of your diagnosis. For example:
- Counterirritants. Rubbing ointment and creams containing menthol or capsaicin will help reduce pain in your joints.
- Pain killers. Your specialist may recommend over-the-counter medicines like acetaminophen. However, if your pain is severe, opioids such as tramadol and oxycodone will act on your nervous system to relieve pain.
- Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. These drugs are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis by slowing your immune system from attacking your joints. Examples include hydroxychloroquine and methotrexate.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Examples include ibuprofen and naproxen to reduce pain and inflammation in your joints.
- Biologic response modifiers such as tumor necrosis factor may help to treat arthritis.
- Corticosteroids like prednisone may help reduce inflammation and pain in your joints.
If you don’t respond to prescribed medicine, your doctor may recommend surgery. Some of the surgical procedures include:
- Joint fusion. This procedure is used for smaller joints located in your fingers, wrist, and ankle. During the process, your surgeon will remove the ends of your bones and lock them together until they form one unit.
- Joint repair. Your surgeon may realign your joints to improve functioning and reduce pain.
- Joint replacement. This method involves removing a damaged joint and replacing it with an artificial one. Your doctor may recommend this method to treat your hip and knee joints.
You can manage arthritis and get rid of chronic pain. Reserve a session with your doctor at Battle Born Bone to get treatment for this condition and resume your everyday life.
