Arthritis

What is arthritis?

Numerous diseases come under the umbrella of arthritis. What they all have in common is that they cause joint pain. In fact, arthritis is the leading cause of chronic joint pain.

Arthritis also stiffens your joints, and over time they become weaker. The pain or aching is usually present most or all of the time but flares up at intervals, when it can be excruciating. Your joints feel hot and swollen, throbbing with deep, intense pain.

Flare-ups can occur because of triggers like changes in the weather, stress, and unusual activities.

What are some common types of arthritis?

The most widespread forms of this disease are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the disease that causes joint pain in so many older people. Why? Because it results from years of wear on the joints. The bones inside your joints have a covering of smooth, tough articular cartilage that allows the ends to slide freely over each other when you move.

Over decades of joint use, the cartilage gradually wears away, leaving the bones unprotected. They start to catch and rub against one another, which creates friction and causes inflammation. The result is steadily worsening joint pain and stiffness.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis typically develops at a much younger age than osteoarthritis. It’s an autoimmune disorder, which means it’s due to a fault in your immune system. Instead of just targeting potentially harmful microorganisms that could cause disease, a faulty immune system attacks various healthy cells in your body as well.

In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system damages cells in your joint linings. The result is joint pain and stiffness, as with most types of arthritis. The joints also tend to twist and distort quite markedly.

Other common kinds of arthritis include septic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and gout.

What treatments can help with arthritis?

The Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation team uses a variety of techniques to ease the symptoms of arthritis and help you retain your mobility. These include:

Manual therapy

Manual therapy uses hands-on treatment to relieve joint pain and increase range of motion. Techniques the Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation team uses include joint manipulation, joint mobilization, and soft tissue mobilization of muscles.

Custom orthotics

Orthotics are specially designed inserts that fit in your shoes. They help with arthritis by ensuring the correct alignment of the joints in your feet and legs and cushioning the joints as you walk. This relieves pressure and reduces pain.

Other therapies like dry needling and cryotherapy can also be helpful for many patients. The methods your provider uses are gentle, and when treating your joints, the team is mindful of the tremendous pain arthritis can cause.

For expert care of your arthritis, call Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation today, or book an appointment online.