What is arthritis?
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:
- Rheumatoid arthritis — an overactive immune system attacks the joints
- Metabolic arthritis (gout) — accumulation of uric acid crystals in joints
- Psoriatic arthritis— psoriasis (an inflammatory skin disorder) spreads to joints
- Infectious arthritis — joint inflammation caused by microbial infection
- Posttraumatic arthritis — occurs after improperly treated injuries
What are some arthritis symptoms?
Although sudden onset of arthritis is possible, the symptoms appear and worsen gradually. Some signs and symptoms of arthritis include:
- Swollen, stiff joints
- Pain and swelling
- Stiffness worse after sitting or sleeping
- Weak feeling in joint
- Decreased joint mobility
- Pain when moving joint
- Popping, grinding, or cracking sound
- A joint that gets “stuck”
How do orthopedists treat arthritis?
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:
- Switching to low-impact activities
- Undergoing physical therapy to strengthen tissues
- Wearing shock-absorbing shoes, braces, sleeves, or other types of joint support
- Learning new ways of moving or performing daily activities
- Losing weight
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.
