CONDITION OVERVIEW
Arthritis is a general term for joint inflammation, encompassing over 100 different conditions that cause pain, stiffness, and swelling. While it can affect people of all ages, it is a leading cause of pain and disability worldwide. The two main types are osteoarthritis ("wear and tear") and inflammatory arthritis (like rheumatoid arthritis). At the Spine and Nerve Center, we specialize in accurately diagnosing the specific cause of your arthritis pain—whether it's in your spine, knees, shoulders, or hips—and creating a personalized, multi-faceted treatment plan to manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
TYPES OF ARTHRITIS
Effective treatment depends on correctly identifying the type of arthritis you have, as the underlying causes and mechanisms of pain are very different.
The most common "wear and tear" type, where protective cartilage on the ends of your bones wears down over time. It commonly affects the spine, hips, and knees.
This category includes conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, and Ankylosing Spondylitis, where the body's own immune system attacks the joints.
A form of osteoarthritis that develops after a specific injury, such as a fracture or major ligament tear, which damages the joint surface and leads to premature wear.
Conditions like Gout are caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals within a joint, leading to intense episodes of painful inflammation.
RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS
While symptoms vary between arthritis types, several hallmark signs indicate that your discomfort may be due to an arthritic condition.
The primary symptom. This can be a sharp pain with movement or a constant, dull ache even at rest.
A classic sign is morning stiffness that makes it difficult to move the joint upon waking. It can also occur after long periods of sitting.
The affected joint may appear swollen, feel warm, and be tender to the touch due to underlying inflammation.
As the condition progresses, you may find that you can't move the joint as freely as before, making daily tasks difficult.
A grating sensation (crepitus) with movement as the damaged, rough cartilage surfaces rub against each other.
When arthritis affects the spine, bone spurs can compress nerves, leading to radiating pain, numbness, or weakness in the arms or legs.
Living with chronic arthritis pain can limit your ability to enjoy life. The first step to relief is a precise diagnosis to understand the type of arthritis you have and which specific joints are causing your pain. From there, we can build a modern, multi-faceted treatment plan to reduce your pain and improve your function. Contact us to get started.