Arthritis

What is arthritis?

A common, treatable condition, arthritis is an inflammation of one joint or more. The surfaces of all the joints in your body are lined with cartilage, a smooth surface that cushions your bones and reduces friction. Arthritis most commonly occurs when the cartilage wears out. Your bones rub against each other causing pain, swelling, and stiffness.

Almost any joint in your body can be affected by arthritis. Common locations include:

• Knees
• Hands
• Fingers
• Elbows
• Back
• Shoulders

If you have arthritis in your knee, for example, the condition can be painful and make it hard to do many simple activities, such as walking or climbing stairs.

What are the types of arthritis?

While arthritis comes in more than 100 different types, the most common forms are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

• Osteoarthritis: a “wear and tear” form of arthritis that appears most often in people age 50 and older
• Rheumatoid arthritis: an autoimmune disease where your body attacks your joints and tissues

Your practitioner at Family Care Specialists Medical Group will determine which form of arthritis you have.

How is arthritis diagnosed?

At Family Care Specialists Medical Group, your provider takes a thorough medical history and performs a physical exam, looking for signs of redness, swelling, and warmth in your joints. You could be asked to perform certain movements to assess your range of motion.

To complete your diagnosis, your provider can recommend testing your blood or urine, or conduct diagnostic imaging tests, including:

• X-rays
• Computerized tomography (CT) scan
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Ultrasound

You might be asked to provide a sample of your joint fluid for testing. This involves numbing the area around your joint and withdrawing a small amount of fluid with a needle.

How is arthritis treated?

Depending on your form of arthritis and the location, your provider at Family Care Specialists Medical Group creates a treatment plan that’s right for your condition. Various forms of treatment can ease your painful symptoms so you can resume your normal activities. Your provider can recommend:

• A splint or brace: helps to rest and support your joint
• Acetaminophen: oral medications that decrease pain
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): oral or topical medications that target pain and inflammation
• Corticosteroids: medications, such as prednisone and cortisone, that are injected to reduce inflammation

If you’re ready to explore the right arthritis treatment to help you enjoy a more active life, call and schedule a consultation today with the team of multilingual medical professionals at Family Care Specialists Medical Group.