What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a chronic condition that typically affects your joints, causing severe inflammation and pain. Visible redness and swelling may occur, often seen in the hands and knees. Multiple types of arthritis exist, affecting your body in different ways. Common types of arthritis the team at Texas Wellness Clinic treat include:
Osteoarthritis
The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis occurs mostly in the hands, hips, and knees but can affect any joint. It forms from the disintegration of cartilage, breaking down the cushioning between the surrounding bones.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Occurring primarily in the hands, wrists, and knees, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease. Your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in your body, resulting in painful swelling in your joints.
Fibromyalgia
This type of arthritis affects your entire body, causing widespread pain. People with fibromyalgia are more susceptible to painful sensations. Although the cause hasn’t been determined, treating the symptoms is possible.
Gout
This is a common form of inflammatory arthritis, affecting one joint at a time. Gout typically occurs in the big toe with repeated periods of increased symptoms (flares) and no symptoms (remission).
What are the symptoms of arthritis?
Depending on the type of arthritis you have, you may experience common issues such as:
- Joint pain
- Aching
- Decreased range of motion
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Redness
Additional symptoms, such as fatigue and headaches, may occur in more severe cases of arthritis.
How is arthritis diagnosed?
The team at Texas Wellness Clinic assesses your symptoms through a physical examination, X-rays, or lab tests. Due to the similarity in symptoms for different types of arthritis, these assessments help determine the treatment you need.
How is arthritis treated?
Though arthritis can’t be cured, the team offers successful treatment plans to help alleviate your painful symptoms through medication, physical therapy, chiropractic care, self-care techniques, and injections when needed.
Suggestions for managing your arthritis may include physical activity that doesn't cause further damage to your joints, such as biking, swimming, and walking. They recommend taking over-the-counter or anti-inflammatory medications to relieve swelling, as well.
More severe cases may require joint injections, such as platelet-rich plasma, hyaluronic acid, or amniotic fluid. These help to reduce stiffness and inflammation, lubricate a joint, or may rebuild broken cartilage.
If you’re suffering from painful symptoms of arthritis, call the Texas Wellness Clinic, or book an online appointment today.
