Arthritis is currently one of the top causes of disability, especially among older adults. In addition to reduced mobility, the disorder can lead to excruciating pain. Luckily, Dr. Clement Yeh and his skilled team at Republic Spine & Pain offer a wide range of treatments for slowing the progression of arthritis while alleviating your symptoms.
How arthritis affects your mobility
Arthritis is a broad term describing more than 100 medical conditions that damage joints and surrounding tissues. Although there are different forms of arthritis, they all cause pain, swelling, and aching in the affected joint. Osteoarthritis remains to be the most prevalent form of arthritis, affecting anyone regardless of age. Gout and rheumatoid arthritis are also other forms of arthritis that medical experts often address.
Your joints consist of connective tissues like tendons and ligaments, bones, synovial lining and cartilage. The tendons and ligaments connect your muscles and bones, facilitating movement. The cartilage provides cushioning for your bones, preventing friction during movement. The synovial lining is responsible for producing fluid that lubricates and cushions your bones, facilitating frictionless movement. Arthritis can interfere with any joint in your body and ultimately lead to reduced mobility, stiffness, and pain.
Factors contributing to the development of arthritis
While medical experts are yet to determine the exact cause of arthritis, they suspect several factors may contribute to its development. Your medical history and genetic disposition are always strong aspects among the factors increasing your risk of arthritis. Although all forms of arthritis lead to stiffness and pain, they have different causes. For instance, you may develop osteoarthritis due to continuous wear and tear. If you are overweight or have a physically demanding occupation, you may also have an elevated risk of arthritis. The excess stress on your joints may lead to the wearing away of your cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disorder that mistakenly attacks the synovial lining leading to pain and inflammation. Additionally, your lifestyle and diet can lead to the accumulation of uric acid crystals in your joints, leading to gout.
Available treatment options for arthritis
During your initial appointment at Republic Spine & Pain, your provider may discuss your symptoms, review your family history and complete a comprehensive physical exam to detect the trigger of your pain and discomfort. Afterward, they may recommend effective treatment and develop a customized treatment plan to restore your physical wellness. The interventional pain experts at the practice utilize an conservative approach to medicine to address the underlying medical condition instead of treating your symptoms only.
The team may combine several treatments depending on your unique needs for optimal results. For instance, your provider may recommend physical therapy, compounded creams, cortisone injections, medication management, viscosupplementation (for knees), and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit. The team may also recommend complementary treatments like acupuncture to slow the progression of the disease and resolve your symptoms. They may also recommend a few dietary and lifestyle modifications. For instance, they may recommend regular exercise to improve joint flexibility and strength.
Call the Republic Spine & Pain office or use the online booking tool to create an appointment for comprehensive care.
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