Arthritis

Arthritis is a common disorder that affects joints. It is the inflammation or degeneration (breakdown) of a joint. These changes in the joint can cause pain. There are many different types of arthritis including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and post-traumatic arthritis.

Causes

There are multiple causes of arthritis and causes are often dependent on the specific type of arthritis. Some common causes can include family history of arthritis, routine stress on your joints from a job or sport, and certain autoimmune diseases or viral infections.

Symptoms

Swelling
Pain
Tenderness
Redness
Stiffness
Limited motion

Treatment

Conservative (nonsurgical) Options

Medication: Anti-inflammatory and pain medications may help relieve symptoms.
Biologics: Medications that target the body’s immune system’s inflammatory response.
Physical therapy: Rehabilitation can help improve strength and range of motion
Therapeutic injections: Cortisone shots or Hyaluronic Acid injections may temporarily relieve pain and inflammation of your joints

Surgical Options

Joint replacement: An arthritic joint gets replaced with an artificial joint. Joint replacement preserves joint function and movement.
Fusion: Two or more bones are permanently fused together. Fusion immobilizes a joint and reduces pain caused by movement.