Arthritis is a general term used to describe more than 100 conditions that can cause inflammation and subsequent swelling, stiffness, and pain in one or several of your joints.
Any joint is vulnerable to arthritis, but those most often affected depend on the type of arthritis you’re experiencing.
Three common forms of arthritis are:
More common than any other type, this “wear-and-tear” arthritis causes the cartilage cushioning the bones within joints to erode. Normally related to aging and/or overuse during various sports and work activities, osteoarthritis typically damages the weight-bearing joints, including the hips, knees, ankles, and the tiny facet joints in the spine.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is related to a faulty immune system that mistakenly attacks and destroys joint tissue. RA typically involves multiple joints and often occurs first in the small joints of your hands, fingers, wrists, or feet.
As the disease progresses, however, it can eventually involve the elbows, neck, shoulders, knees, feet, jaw, and multiple other joints. RA is usually symmetrical in that it affects both the left and right sides of your body at once.
Related to psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory condition that causes patches of scaly and red skin. It can occur in just one joint or may cause painful swelling of the fingers and toes.
This autoimmune disorder causes inflammation in joints and organs throughout your body.
Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis linked to the buildup of uric acid crystals within a joint, which causes sudden pain and swelling in the affected joint.
This type of arthritis mainly affects the spine and may eventually cause abnormal bone growth and fusion of the spinal vertebrae.
The treatment plans developed at Pain Specialists of Oregon are based on the results of your initial evaluation, which includes a physical exam and detailed review and discussion of your symptoms, medical history, and level of disability.
Depending on the type of arthritis you’re experiencing, your provider may recommend:
If your symptoms do not respond to other treatments, your provider may recommend a viscosupplementation injection containing hyaluronic acid. The naturally occurring fluid helps lubricate the cartilage within joints.
You may also benefit from a nerve block or radiofrequency ablation to disrupt pain signals traveling from the affected joint to your brain.
For more information about how our specialists can help manage your arthritis pain and restore your mobility, schedule an evaluation at Pain Specialists of Oregon today. Call the office or use our online service to book your visit online.