Arthritis Treatment Specialist Questions and Answers

Arthritis is a well-known condition that causes swelling and tenderness in the joints of the body.

People who suffer from arthritis can have it in only one joint, or in several, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe.

Stiffness and pain of the joint are the most commonly reported symptoms of the condition, and they will typically get worse and more severe as the sufferer ages.

While there are several different types of arthritis, there are two that are more common than the rest – osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

The 2 different types of arthritis affect the joints in different ways, causing pain and discomfort in the joints when they are moved.

While there is no cure for arthritis, treatment options are available for patients to help reduce painful symptoms and improve the patient’s overall quality of life.

Treatment can consist of medications or therapy, with the option of surgery if other methods haven’t provided relief.

At Sunset Hills Family Practice, we have a team of experts who can diagnose arthritis in our patients and help them to find ways to manage their pain.

The different types of arthritis are classified based on the breakdown inside the joints that are causing discomfort, stiffness, pain, and swelling.

While there are several types, there are 2 types of arthritis that are the most common.

These are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a result of a breakdown of the cartilage in the joint, typically caused by damage due to wear and tear.

The wear-and-tear can be the result of age, with it happening over the span of many years, or as the result of an infection or injury.

Cartilage forms on the ends of the bones, in the form of a slick, hard coating, and is used to cushion the bones at the ends where they meet to form a joint.

When the cartilage breaks down, it causes the bones to grind against each other, instead of the nearly frictionless motion of the joint when its cartilage against cartilage.

With rheumatoid arthritis, the breakdown in the joint is caused by an attack on the joint capsule lining by the body’s immune system.

The joint capsule is a tough membrane that fully encloses all of the parts of the joint.

The attack from the immune system causes swelling and inflammation of the lining, called the synovial membrane, and can also cause damage to the cartilage and bone of the joint.

Many people associate arthritis with getting old, thinking that it’s just part of getting older and our bodies slowly and naturally starting to break down.

While age does factor into the likelihood of developing arthritis, it isn’t the only cause. Arthritis can be genetic, with people who have a family history of the condition having an increased risk of developing it.

Your gender can also have an impact as women have been shown to have higher instances of rheumatoid arthritis than men.

Additional weight and obesity can play a part in the appearance of arthritis, due to the increased pressure and wear-and-tear on the joints.

Obesity does increase the risk of arthritis, particularly in the joints that support the most weight – the spine, hips, and knees.

People who have received an injury to one of their joints, whether from sports or an accident, have a higher risk of developing arthritis in the affected joint.

Arthritis affects the body’s joints, with symptoms of the condition appearing in any joint that is affected.

A little bit of stiffness in your joints here and there is normal, particularly if you have done an activity that your body isn’t used to.

However, arthritis is a serious condition that will cause the sufferer ongoing stiffness and pain, along with redness and swelling of the joint and a decrease in the joint’s range of motion.

If you suspect you may have symptoms of arthritis, get yourself checked out by a doctor who has experience with the condition, such as the team at Sunset Hills Family Practice.

We can help you find ways to manage your symptoms, whether they are caused by arthritis or something else. We serve patients from Henderson NV, Paradise Hills NV, Midway NV, Gibson Springs NV, and Winchester NV.