Treatment Options for Arthritis Pain

One of the most common forms of arthritis is known as osteoarthritis. This is a degenerative disorder that affects the joints, more specifically the: knees, hips, wrists, or fingers. Another type of arthritis is known as rheumatoid arthritis, which happens due to damage from the body’s immune system. No matter the type of arthritis, symptoms can be painful and interfere with your daily life. Our team at Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center is here to help you fight your arthritis pain. Keep reading to learn more!

Types of Arthritis 

Osteoarthritis 

The most common form of arthritis is known as osteoarthritis (OA) that affects over 23.5 million American adults. This form is also known as ‘degenerative joint disease’ or ‘wear-and-tear arthritis.’ According to the CDC, this type of arthritis is most often found in the hands, hips, and knees. With OA, the cartilage within a joint will break down and change the underlying bone. These changes happen slowly and get worse as time goes on. It can pause pain, stiffness, and swelling. In severe cases, it can also result in reduced function and disability. The common symptoms of OA, according to the CDC, are:

• Pain or aching
• Stiffness
• Decreased range of motion 
• Reduced flexibility 
• Swelling 

Rheumatoid Arthritis 

The next form of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This form is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease, which means that your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake, causing inflammation in the affected parts of the body. RA frequently attacks the joints, usually multiple joints at any given time. The joints usually affected are the hands, wrists, and knees. With RA, the lining of the joint becomes inflamed, which damages the joint tissue. When this damage happens, it can cause chronic pain, unsteadiness, and deformity. Some patients with RA will also experience problems in other organs like the lungs, heart, and eyes. Common symptoms of RA, according to the CDC, are:

• Pain or aching in multiple joints
• Stiffness in multiple joints
• Tenderness and swelling in multiple joints
• The same symptoms on both sides of the body (like both hands or in both knees)
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Fatigue or tiredness
• Weakness

Causes of Arthritis

While RA is autoimmune, the causes of OA can be:

• Repetitive activity, like jogging or typing
• Athletic activity that puts stress on the joints
• Hereditary conditions that cause degeneration of the cartilage in each joint
• Development of bone spurs due to injury or other issue
• Obesity
• Repeated surgeries in one part of the body
• Diabetes

Arthritis Risk Factors 

As with many medical conditions, certain risk factors can make you more at risk for developing that condition. Both types of arthritis come with their own risk factors. Some of these factors are out of our control, but others we can. Arthritis Society details the different kinds of risk factors to be: 

Non-modifiable risk factors:

• Age – the older you get, the more at risk you become. 
• Sex – arthritis is more common in women, with more than 60% of arthritis patients being female.
• Genetics – different genes can bring on a higher risk for different types of arthritis. 

Modifiable risk factors:

• Obesity – excess weight can contribute to both the onset and progression of OA.
• Physical inactivity: lack of exercise is associated with the progression of different types of this condition. 
• Joint injuries – damage to a joint can contribute to the development of OA in that joint.
• Smoking – smoking is linked to the progression of RA. 
• Diet – maintaining a healthy diet and weight is one of the best things you can do to prevent or reduce disease progression. 

Arthritis Treatment Options 

While about half of the population will deal with minor OA at some point in life, this doesn’t mean that you can’t work to prevent or minimize joint damage. Taking care to minimize repetition and resting between workouts will help you retain healthy cartilage and joint cushions into your golden years. If your immune system starts attacking your joints, seeking prompt treatment in the Austin area can slow down the spread of RA. Our many different specialists can work to help you slow down and reverse your arthritis pain.

Make an Appointment with Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center

If you are suffering from OA or RA, Dr. Shaner and our team at Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center is here for you. We provide specialized treatment plans for your pain and will help you understand what your symptoms mean and what it will take for you to improve. Call us today for an appointment at (512)-806-0015.