Arthritis

About a quarter of American adults are living with arthritis today. At Riverhills Neuroscience, an elite group of multidisciplinary specialists offers interventional pain management, physical medicine and rehab, rheumatology, and other care that people with arthritis need to cope with their disease and have a better quality of life. The practice has three Cincinnati, Ohio, area offices in Norwood, Westside, and Anderson, as well as an office in Crestview Hills, Kentucky. Call the office nearest to you or use the online contact form to request more info now.

How can I tell if my joint pain is arthritis?

Not all joint pain is arthritis, and many people wonder how to tell the difference. Unfortunately, it’s hard to know for sure without a diagnostic evaluation. Some signs that you need to come to Riverhills Neuroscience for an evaluation include:

• Ongoing joint pain — may be sporadic or constant
• Frequent joint stiffness — particularly stiffness in the morning lasting more than an hour
• Swelling lasting longer than three days or occurring more than three times in 30 days
• Difficulty rising from a sitting position
• Reduced range of motion, which may improve once you start moving
• Difficulty climbing stairs
• Clicking feeling or sound when you move affected joints
• Redness over joints
• Warm-feeling joints

If your symptoms keep you from doing any of your regular activities, you deserve answers, and that’s exactly what an arthritis evaluation can provide.

What are the types of arthritis?

Arthritis is an umbrella term that covers at least 100 different joint diseases. Three of the most common types of arthritis are: 

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage (the joint padding) breaks down. This leads to bone-on-bone interaction, which can result in bone damage. 

The joints most commonly affected include the hips, knees, and hands. Most people experience osteoarthritis on one side of their body. Osteoarthritis causes joint pain, stiffness, and, in later stages, mobility issues. 

Rheumatoid arthritis

With rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system destroys healthy cells within the tissue that lines the joints. This causes pain and swelling, often to a notable and potentially debilitating degree.

Rheumatoid arthritis usually develops symmetrically, affecting the matching joints on both sides simultaneously. It often affects the hands, wrists, and knees. 

Psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis occurs in people with the skin disease psoriasis. It has several forms that can affect the joints in the hands, feet, or spine. 

Psoriatic arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis, is an immune disease. It progressively worsens over time. 

What are the options for arthritis treatment?

There are many treatment options for arthritis today, including:

• Physical medicine and rehabilitation
• Intravenous (IV) infusion therapy
• Oral or injected medication
• Interventional pain management
• Surgery, such as joint replacement

Your treatment depends on your type of arthritis and symptoms. 

Call Riverhills Neuroscience or click the online contact feature for more info now.