There are multiple conditions affecting the joint tissues. Patients with arthritis experience inflammation in the tissues around the joint, causing damage and pain. This condition encompasses over 100 joint concerns, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis. Dr. Mahan Ostadian will conduct comprehensive tests to determine the type of arthritis you present and develop an effective treatment plan to manage your condition.
Arthritis is a popular condition affecting patients of all ages. However, you have a higher chance of developing the disease if you are over 65. Understanding the cause, types, and treatments of arthritis will help you appreciate important information about the condition, including the significance of treatment urgency in preventing adverse complications.
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a medical term for the group of conditions causing joint inflammation. The main symptoms of rheumatic diseases and conditions affecting bone intersections include pain, stiffness, and swelling. Although arthritis mainly causes joint inflammation, some patients experience this symptom in the tendons and ligaments surrounding a joint. Careful detection and analysis of symptoms are crucial in determining the type of arthritis you have, especially since the condition may advance gradually, causing sudden impairments to productivity.
Types of arthritis
Patients centeredness is key in treating arthritis because patients present with different types of arthritis. There following are the categories of arthritis:
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Inflammatory arthritis
Inflammation is your body’s immune action against viruses and bacteria. However, patients with arthritis experience damaging inflammation that is not associated with injury or infection. Inflammatory arthritis includes RA, reactive arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriatic arthritis, which cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in joints.
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Degenerative or mechanical arthritis
Cartilage is a protective joint layer that prevents the direct grinding of bones against each other during joint action. Degenerative or mechanical arthritis, like osteoarthritis, causes cartilage damage. Patients with thin cartilage experience joint pain and risk developing osteophytes and unwanted bony growths.
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Connective tissue disease (CTD)
Tendons, ligaments, and cartilage are connective tissues that support joint function. Connective tissue diseases like lupus, scleroderma, dermatomyositis, and Sjogren’s can affect other body organs, including the skin, muscles, and lungs requiring consultation with multiple specialists.
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Infectious arthritis
The main cause of inflammation in joints of patients with infectious arthritis is bacteria, viruses, or fungus entry into joints. Treatment for infectious arthritis involves the use of antibiotics and antimicrobial medication. However, treatment urgency is critical to prevent irreversible joint damage.
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Metabolic arthritis
Patients with high uric acid levels risk developing uric acid crystals in cooler joints causing extreme joint pain in their extremities. Your metabolic arthritis also predisposes you to gout attacks.
Other common types of arthritis include childhood arthritis and septic arthritis. The former can cause permanent damage to the joints, while the latter may cause rapid joint destruction and is fatal. Seeking emergency treatment is the only way to manage your arthritis and prevent irreversible joint damage. Collaborate with a trusted primary care provider to undergo appropriate treatment for your arthritis and eliminate delays that might cause your condition to advance into severe stages. Contact Republic Spine and Pain to book your arthritis consultation appointment and jumpstart your journey to unlimited joint action.
