Arthritis refers to a group of over 100 inflammatory joint-related diseases that affect many Americans. The symptoms of arthritis are pain, inflammation, and stiffness in joints. Arthritis can affect any joint, such as the hip, knee, shoulder, or elbow. Unfortunately, arthritis is incurable, so patients suffering from it focus on finding treatments to relieve symptoms and slow the progression of the disease for as long as possible.
While there are many types of arthritis, we will talk about the different causes of the most common forms and the treatments available to ease symptoms.
Common Causes of Arthritis
There is usually no single cause of arthritis, as it is usually a combination of risk factors that can lead to the disease. For osteoarthritis, which affects the cartilage protecting joints, the most prominent factor is aging and wear and tear. As the cartilage breaks down, the bones tend to rub together, which can be very painful. Obesity, which is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, can accelerate the breakdown of cartilage. There is some research that links genetics to an increased susceptibility to developing arthritis. Post-traumatic injuries also raise arthritis risk.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a type of autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack the lining of the joints, causing damage and chronic pain. RA usually affects the small joints in the hands and feet, as well as other organs and bodily systems.
How is Arthritis Treated?
Treating arthritis usually involves a comprehensive approach, with a focus on relieving the painful symptoms of the disease. People with arthritis should have a pain management doctor on their care team who can administer interventional pain-relieving therapies that are not readily offered by other doctors. Some of these treatments include corticosteroid injections, viscosupplementation, nerve blocks, platelet-rich plasma therapy, and radiofrequency ablation, which involves no drugs and is a non-surgical approach to pain relief. Physical therapy can also decrease pain and improve joint mobility in patients with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
Lifestyle changes can also help improve a patient’s quality of life by reducing pain. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, quitting smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation, exercising, and avoiding inactivity can all help with managing chronic arthritis symptoms.
Why Choose Interventional Pain Treatments?
When it comes to treating pain from chronic arthritis, care should be taken not to become overly dependent on pharmacologic drugs. Additionally, surgery is usually not recommended until the disease has reached its most advanced stage and non-surgical interventions no longer provide relief. Interventional pain management provides effective relief from arthritis symptoms by targeting the root of the pain signals, whether it’s through targeting the inflammation, blocking the pain signals originating from the nerves, or heating up the nerve fibers, all of which can improve symptoms of arthritis.
Chronic Arthritis Treatment in Melbourne, FL
At Central Florida Spine & Pain, our board-certified pain management expert, Dr. Nicholas Giordano, specializes in interventional pain management. He focuses on giving treatments that are minimally invasive and provide immediate results. Dr. Giordano is compassionate, empathetic, and is deeply committed to helping you achieve relief from pain. We offer all of the treatments mentioned above in a relaxing, welcoming, and friendly office.
To find out what treatments we recommend for you, schedule an appointment today. Call (321) 802-5021, or use our online form to make a request.
