What You Should Know about Arthritis

Arthritis affects millions of Americans.  As you age, your joints naturally weaken and deteriorate, which can cause limited mobility, pain, swelling, and discomfort in affected joints in your body.   Many people suffer from arthritis in one particular area of their body, like their knee joint or hip joint, but it can affect the entire body.  Living with arthritis may cause a decrease in the quality of your life if you do not seek treatment from an orthopedic surgeon in Deland.  These are a few things that you should know about arthritis and how to treat your symptoms.

It is the most common joint disease.

Arthritis is the most common disease to affect the joints, causing pain, swelling, immobility, and stiffness.  Many people that suffer from arthritis may even feel tingling sensations or numbness in the affected regions.  Arthritis primarily affects the cartilage in between your joints, which is there as a shock absorbing material that covers the ends of our bones.  As this degrades over time, your bones will start rubbing directly on one another, causing pain and limited mobility.

There are many causes.

There are many different types of arthritis, which mean that there are also many causes.  One of the most common causes is aging.  Our aging bodies suffer from general wear and tear that can degrade the joints, causing pain and swelling when you try to move.  Also, arthritis can occur as a result of injury or trauma to the body.  Many inflammatory or autoimmune diseases also play a role in causing arthritic symptoms.

The diagnostic process involves a few different tests.

When you are concerned about your joint pain, you will want to see a doctor to evaluate your issue. R They will assess your muscle strength, joint motion, and joint stability.  Also, they will perform multiple blood and lab tests to indicate the type of arthritis you may have.  Sometimes, they may take X-rays to take a look at the condition of your bones.  In rare cases, MRIs will be requested to get the best view of your soft tissues, like ligaments, tendons, and cartilage.

Most cases are treated without surgery.

Your doctor will likely prescribe you non-surgical treatment options before they even consider the surgical routine.  They may give you medication to treat pain and reduce swelling.  Cortisone injections can also be powerful ways to treat these issues.  Often, they will recommend physical therapy or an exercise regimen to help encourage movement and increase your range of motion.  Once these treatments are exhausted, they may consider surgery.

By understanding more about arthritis, you can make educated choices about your diagnosis and treatment plan.  If you feel like your arthritis is affecting the way you live your life, it is time to seek help from an orthopedic surgeon in Deland.  Contact Florida Bone and Joint to make an appointment with our experienced doctors today.