Joint pain is a common ailment for many. But how do you know whether it’s something fleeting, versus something more chronic? Even using the term “arthritis” to describe joint pain can be misleading, as it broadly refers to pain caused by varying factors.
What is Arthritis?
Did you know there are dozens of different types of arthritis? And it doesn’t just affect a certain demographic; individuals of all ages and activity levels can experience joint pain or joint disease. Studies show that across America, more than 50 million adults, and 300,000 children live with arthritis. But what is arthritis?
Common Types of Arthritis
Our joints can suffer from swelling, stiffness, and loss of motion. Sometimes these symptoms are accompanied by pain, which can range from mild to severe. Sometimes these symptoms are intermittent, and other times they’re chronic, or long-lasting.
In some cases, there are discernable physical effects of arthritis, such as swollen joints, limited range of motion, or skin rashes. Less visible effects include damage to internal organs, such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys.
Degenerative Arthritis
Also known as osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis is the most common type. As the name suggests, it’s a condition in which the soft, cushioning surfaces of the bones are worn away over time. With the loss of cartilage, bones rub against each other, resulting in joint pain, loss of strength, and swelling.
Inflammatory Arthritis
When the body is functioning properly and sending messages about health, the immune system responds and attacks disease. Sometimes this involves inflammation, which can aid in the process of removing an infection. In the case of inflammatory arthritis, the body gets its signals crossed and the inflammation becomes a problem. The joints can become inflamed without actual need, and the prolonged inflammation can erode otherwise healthy joints. Untreated, the prolonged inflammation can lead to damage of internal organs.
Types of inflammatory arthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Gout
Infectious Arthritis
Arthritis can be caused by a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. These invaders enter the body and can cause inflammation in the joints. As stated above, the inflammation can assist in getting rid of the disease but can lead to chronic arthritis symptoms if not treated.
Causes of infectious arthritis
- Salmonella
- Shigella
- Chlamydia
- Hepatitis C
Metabolic Arthritis
If the body is unable to properly break down substances that are naturally occurring, it can lead to metabolic arthritis. Failure to metabolize uric acid, which is naturally found in the body and food, can produce a buildup of crystals in the joints. As you can imagine, having a buildup of uric acid crystals is painful. Like infectious arthritis, if left untreated metabolic arthritis can become a chronic condition.
How to Treat Arthritis
Depending on the type of arthritis you’re experiencing, there are a number of different treatment options. Be sure to get a proper diagnosis of what is affecting your joints before proceeding with a treatment plan.
Preventing and Treating Degenerative Arthritis
It may seem contradictory, but regular exercise can help prevent and treat degenerative arthritis. Putting good stress on our bones strengthens them, which can help with the pain experienced as the cartilage wears away. Additionally, hot and cold compresses can alleviate the pain caused by osteoarthritis. If these, or other treatments prescribed, do not offer long-term relief, joint replacement may be recommended by your doctor.
Treating Inflammatory Arthritis
Since it is believed that inflammatory arthritis can be caused by genetics, there is not a lot known about preventing it. Treating it, however, doesn’t have to be overwhelming. There are a number of recommended medications that can help relieve pain caused by swelling, such as steroids and immunosuppressants. If medication and mindful physical activity don’t do the trick, joint replacement is another option to consider with your doctor.
Treating Infectious Arthritis
Depending on what caused infectious arthritis, antibiotics can be used to clear the infection.
Treating Metabolic Arthritis
Much like inflammatory arthritic, metabolic arthritis can be treated with anti-inflammatory prescriptions. Additionally, it may be helpful to discuss a nutrition plan with your doctor that can prevent the onset of metabolic arthritis, as some foods may be more triggering than others.
Our Utah orthopedic specialists are here to assist with non-surgical as well as surgical treatment of arthritis. Surgery is typically the last resort, and Dr. Skedros Orthopadeics will help you explore other options before coming to that decision.