What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a term that describes disease or pain in your joints caused by inflammation. Joints are areas in your body where two or more bones come together. Arthritis causes varying degrees of swelling, pain, and loss of function in your joints.
Anyone can have arthritis, but it’s more common in women than men.
What causes arthritis?
Arthritis may have a variety of causes depending on the type you have. There are more than 100 different kinds of arthritis, and the two most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It occurs due to wear and tear that damages the cartilage cushioning your joints. In most cases, osteoarthritis is associated with aging, but a joint injury or infection can also cause it to develop.
Rheumatoid arthritis
This form of arthritis is an autoimmune disease that occurs when your immune system misfires and attacks the membrane lining your joints. When this occurs, the synovial membrane grows inflamed and swollen, and bone and cartilage deteriorate within your joint.
How is arthritis diagnosed and treated?
To find the most effective treatment for your arthritis, Dr. Oza conducts a full physical exam to identify its cause. This might include blood tests or digital imaging like X-rays, an MRI, or a CT scan.
After identifying the extent of your arthritis damage, Dr. Oza develops a management plan to relieve your symptoms. This might include:
- Lifestyle changes like weight management programs to reduce pressure on your joints
- Creams and ointments like menthol or capsaicin to disrupt pain signals from the joint
- Medications like anti-inflammatories and pain relievers
- Physical therapy to improve your range of motion and strengthen the muscles surrounding your affected joints
Additionally, Dr. Oza provides arthrocentesis. Also known as joint aspiration, this therapy is a common treatment for arthritis in the knees. During this procedure, Dr. Oza uses a needle to remove fluid from your joint or from the joint’s bursa. Bursae are fluid-filled sacs found near bones that reduce friction.
For severe arthritis symptoms that don’t respond to conservative treatments, Dr. Oza might recommend surgery to repair or replace the affected joints.
To find relief from your arthritis symptoms, call Oza Family Care and Wellness Center or schedule an appointment online today.
