Having arthritis shouldn’t mean not being able to do the things you love. At Oza Family Care and Wellness Center in Houston, Vijay Oza, MD, brings years of experience as an internal and family physician to his practice, treating men and women for a variety of chronic conditions, including arthritis. To find pain relief and improve your mobility, call Oza Family Care and Wellness Center or schedule an appointment online today.
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.
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 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.
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.
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:
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.