Arthritis Q & A

What is arthritis?

Arthritis isn’t a disease itself but is actually a term that describes several disorders with joint inflammation. Joints form in your body wherever at least two bones come together.

When you have arthritis, you can experience a wide range of symptoms in your joints, including:

  • Chronic pain
  • Swelling
  • Stiffness
  • Deformity
  • Limited range of motion

In most cases, your arthritis symptoms are usually worse in the morning or after long periods of inactivity.

What causes arthritis?

There are over 100 types of conditions falling under the arthritis category, and they’re usually due to cartilage degeneration.

Cartilage is the tissue covering each of your bones to protect them and help them move smoothly against each other. When your cartilage breaks down, it creates friction as your bones rub against each other, leading to more cartilage degeneration, pain, and reduced mobility.

The two most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and usually develops as you age due to normal wear and tear on your joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by your immune system. This autoimmune disease occurs when your body misfires and attacks the healthy tissue lining your joints and nourishing your cartilage.

How is arthritis treated?

Dr. Chekemian develops a pain management strategy based on the specific cause of your arthritis symptoms. Whenever possible, she treats them directly at the source, and she might even recommend trying to reverse them with minimally invasive techniques.

Additional pain management techniques for arthritis pain might include:

  • Hot and cold therapy
  • Oral or topical medications, like anti-inflammatories or pain relievers
  • Cortisone
  • Trigger point Therapy

Dr. Chekemian may also recommend a physical therapy program focused on strengthening the muscles supporting your affected joints.

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