Arthritis Relief

Arthritis Q & A

What are the Different Types of Arthritis?

Arthritis is an umbrella term for more than 100 conditions that cause inflammation and joint pain. The main types of arthritis are categorized based on their general cause. These include:

Degenerative Arthritis

In degenerative arthritis — commonly called osteoarthritis — the cartilage in your joints wears down after overuse, injuries, or trauma. This is the most common form of arthritis and can affect one or more joints in your body.

Inflammatory Arthritis

Inflammatory arthritis is a group of conditions that cause joint inflammation and pain, among other symptoms. The most common types of inflammatory arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and psoriatic arthritis. Chronic inflammation breaks down the cartilage in your joints, causing pain and stiffness.

Infectious Arthritis

Infectious arthritis occurs when a pathogen infects your joint. This can occur from trauma to the joint, a skin infection close to a joint, or a systemic infection that attacks your joint. Infectious arthritis strikes quickly and can cause irreversible damage to your joints if not treated immediately.

Metabolic Arthritis

Metabolic arthritis is a group of conditions that deposit substances in your joints that can wear down cartilage. Gout, the most common form, deposits uric acid crystals into your joints — often affecting the big toe — and causes pain, redness, and swelling.

How is Arthritis Diagnosed?

If your provider suspects that you have arthritis, you’ll undergo a comprehensive physical exam with a special focus on your joints and related symptoms. Your provider will check your flexibility, range of motion, muscle strength, and perform orthopedic tests on your joints.

Imaging — including X-rays and an MRI — may also be needed if you have pain in multiple joints or have suffered direct trauma to your joints. Based on your exam and any imaging taken, your provider will diagnose your condition and recommend appropriate treatment based on the type of arthritis you have and the severity of your symptoms.

How is Arthritis Treated?

At Modern Concepts, the medical team takes a comprehensive approach to relieve your arthritis symptoms and slow the progression of your condition. Depending on your diagnosis and the severity of your symptoms, your provider may begin with conservative care, including physical therapy, exercises, and nutritional counseling.

If your symptoms are more severe, or conservative treatment isn’t enough, your provider may recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications or injections to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.

Arthritis can limit your ability to move and enjoy your life, but treatment at Modern Concepts can help. Book an appointment online or over the phone today.