Arthritis

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is an umbrella term for over 100 long-lasting joint disorders. These conditions cause chronic or recurring pain that typically worsens over time. Common types of arthritis include:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is more widespread than any other form of this disease. It most frequently develops in later life. Wear-and-tear erodes the cartilage, exposing bare bones. The bone ends rub against one another, creating inflammation and pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis usually develops earlier in life than osteoarthritis. It’s an autoimmune disorder, meaning that a flaw in your immune system causes the symptoms by attacking cells in your joints as though they were harmful microorganisms.

Psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis affects some people with the skin condition psoriasis. Like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune disorder.

Gout

Gout usually develops in the big toes but could affect other joints, such as the knee. Crystals form due to excess uric acid in the affected joints, causing intense pain flare-ups.

What symptoms does arthritis cause?

Common arthritis symptoms affecting the joints include:

• Swelling
• Weakness
• Reduced function
• Stiffness
• Distortion

However, the primary arthritis symptom is joint pain, which is often hot, tender, and throbbing. It may feel like a mild ache initially, but the discomfort worsens over time, sending needle-like pain into the joints, bones, and soft tissues.

What treatments help with arthritis?

There’s no cure for arthritis, but a comprehensive treatment plan designed by the experts at Integrated Pain Consultants can ease your symptoms.

Physical therapy, activity modification, and medication (anti-inflammatories) often help initially. Opioids may become necessary as the condition worsens, but the team handles these carefully to minimize adverse effects. If you have an autoimmune form of arthritis, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) can be helpful.

Joint injections are one of the main advanced arthritis treatments. One type contains a local anesthetic and a powerful anti-inflammatory steroid. This combination offers complete relief for a few hours and a longer-lasting reduction in pain for several months afterward. Other injections, like ORTHOVISC™ and Hyalgan®, contain hyaluronic acid to lubricate the joints.

If nothing’s easing arthritis pain in large joints like your knees, destroying the pain nerves in that area using minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation could be effective.

Call Integrated Pain Consultants today or book an appointment online for superior arthritis care.