Arthritis Specialist

Arthritis is a term that describes more than 100 conditions that cause inflammation and tenderness in one or more of your joints. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which affects more than 30 million adults in the United States.

Also called degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis occurs when the slippery cartilage that allows your bones to glide over one another in a joint wears down. Osteoarthritis develops slowly and worsens over time, eventually leading to bone grinding against bone.

Other common types of arthritis include:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Gout

Arthritis can affect any joint in your body, but osteoarthritis most often occurs in weight-bearing joints, such as your knees and hips.

Arthritis symptoms vary depending on the type of disease you have and the joints affected. Common symptoms of arthritis include:

• Joint pain or tenderness
• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Decreased range of motion

Arthritis of the knee may cause knee pain and difficulty walking, while arthritis of the shoulder causes shoulder pain that may limit your ability to reach over your head.

Some risk factors for arthritis are beyond your control. For example, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout become more prevalent with increasing age. Other factors that increase your risk for arthritis include:

• Previous joint injuries
• Family history of arthritis
• Obesity

Jobs that require repetitive movements may also increase your risk for osteoarthritis.

Your Orthopaedic Institute of Henderson provider begins by performing a physical exam, reviewing your symptoms and medical history, and ordering any requisite imaging tests such as X-rays.

Then, your Orthopaedic Institute of Henderson provider recommends the best course of treatment for your specific needs. Depending on the type and severity of your arthritis, treatment may include:

• Viscosupplementation
• Therapeutic injections
• Physical therapy
• Joint preservation
• Joint replacement

Arthritis is a chronic condition, but joint injections may provide a period of extended relief from painful inflammation without relying on oral pain-relieving medications.