Arthritis is a severe disease of the joint that occurs when you have cartilage loss in your joint. When you lose cartilage, the joint begins to grind together and cause severe pain.
How common is arthritis?
– Arthritis is common, affecting 23% of people in the United States.– Leading cause of work disability in the US– Affects 8 million Americans– 60% of adults with arthritis are of working age between 18 and 64 years old.– The hip and knee are the two most common joints affected by arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. When this occurs, the joint can become very painful. Factors that can lead to osteoarthritis include age, being overweight, and history of injury.
X-rays show cartilage loss. Also, it can show bone spurs around the joint. MRI provides a detailed and refined image of bones and soft tissues of the affected area.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory in which your body’s immune system is triggered and starts to attack the synovium.
Gout Arthritis
Gout is mostly considered as a disorder of uric acid or urate metabolism. The buildup of uric acid in the blood is mainly caused due to the breakdown of the purines.
Treat Arthritis Without Surgery
Treatment for arthritis begins with non-operative treatments. There is a good chance that we can improve your pain without surgery.
Steroid Injections into your joint reduces your inflammation. Often patients have a lasting effect. Usually these injections can be provided every 3 months.
When I talk with patients about deciding to have surgery – I explain to them that I usually consider surgery when conservative treatment fails and their pain or function is limiting in one or more of the following areas:
- Ability to work- Activities of daily living- Relationships with family- Activities of enjoyment