Arthritis

What is arthritis?

Arthritis describes more than 100 diseases of the joints, the most common being osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. These diseases can affect any joint, including your shoulders, neck, low back, wrists, ankles, and hips. Most commonly, though, arthritis affects the knee. 

Some of the most common types of arthritis include:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis occurs due to the natural wear and tear of your joint’s cartilage over time. As you get older, the soft, cushioning cartilage between your joints begins to wear down. After much of this cartilage is gone, the joint begins to rub one bone directly against another, resulting in very intense pain.

Post-traumatic arthritis 

Post-traumatic arthritis pain is due to cartilage degeneration, but it’s worsened by a particular injury to the knee such as a tear of the meniscus or the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition. Your body’s immune system mistakenly attacks your joints, and can cause pain throughout your body. Instead of affecting just one knee or hip — it affects both sides of your body. 

Reactive arthritis

Reactive arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis that may affect joints as well as other areas of the body, such as the eyes, skin, and urinary tract. This type of arthritis is caused by bacteria that have managed to enter the bloodstream by way of the urogenital tract or gastrointestinal tract. 

When should I suspect I have arthritis?

Arthritis of the knee or other joints often causes: 

• Soreness and stiffness
• Limited range of mobility
• Swelling
• Clicking or cracking during movement of the joint
• A grating or scraping sensation
• Pain that worsens during or after daily activity

If you have symptoms that suggest arthritis of any joint, make an appointment at Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center for evaluation and treatment. If you show signs of arthritis, the team may run imaging tests including X-rays and MRIs to confirm your diagnosis. 

What are the treatments for arthritis?

Arthritis cannot be cured, but its symptoms are managed so pain and dysfunction are minimalized. Weight loss, over-the-counter and prescription medications, hot and cold therapy, and regular physical activity help alleviate moderate pain. 

Physical therapy and injections of hyaluronic acid or corticosteroids can also help control pain. 

Surgery may be an option when conservative treatments fail to bring you relief. The orthopedic surgeons at Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center advise you if a joint replacement is your best option. During knee or hip replacement, your surgeon removes the damaged tissue at the joint and replaces it with a prosthetic device. 

If you’re suffering from arthritis pain, call Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center today or use this website to schedule a consultation.