According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 54 million men and women in the US suffer from the painful, stiff joints of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or other forms of arthritis. Orthopedist Dr. Brian K. Cohen, founder of Aventura Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in North Miami and Miami Beach, Florida, improves arthritis pain and joint function with novel therapies and arthroscopic surgery. If your joints are painful, creaky, or stiff and you live in the Miami area, call Dr. Cohen or use the automated online appointment-booking form.
Arthritis is a group of more than 100 types of joint diseases. The most common form is osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis often afflicts athletes, weekend warriors, and other active men and women because it develops when the cartilage that cushions your joints gets worn away through friction from overuse. Without the protective cartilage, your bones grind together and cause pain and swelling.
Having more than one type of arthritis is possible. The common types of arthritis are:
Although sudden onset of arthritis is possible, the symptoms appear and worsen gradually. Some signs and symptoms of arthritis include:
Arthritis has no cure, but it’s possible to manage this condition and prevent its progress. Depending on the severity of your arthritis and its cause, Dr. Cohen may recommend you first try controlling your arthritis pain and stiffness with lifestyle modifications, including:
Dr. Cohen may also administer PRP injections to help rebuild your cartilage and repair surrounding tissues.
He may recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and other medications to alleviate pain, reduce swelling, and improve mobility.
For select cases, he recommends arthroscopic surgery to remove inflamed tissues and repair essential structures, including ligaments and tendons.
If you’ve noticed your joints becoming stiffer or less mobile, treat your arthritis sooner rather than later by contacting Dr. Cohen by phone or online form.