Arthritis Prevention and Treatments, Explained

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in America. While there are over 100 different types of arthritis, common arthritis symptoms include swelling, stiffness, pain, and limited range of motion in the joints. In those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the body’s immune system attacks the membrane lining of the joints, leading to painful swelling, and in severe cases, deterioration of the bone. Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is caused by the wear and tear of cartilage within the joint. This cartilage acts as a cushion between the two bones in the joint, and its deterioration leads to painful bone-on-bone rubbing. Osteoarthritis is also the most common form of spinal arthritis, most often seen in the neck and in the low back. In severe cases, spinal arthritis may cause bone spurs that impinge upon the spinal nerves, causing pain, tingling, and numbness in the arms and/or legs.

Prevention: Although there is currently no surefire way to fully prevent arthritis, you can reduce your risk of onset through regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, keeping your blood sugar in check, and avoiding repetitive movements or injury. Abstaining from smoking is also one way to reduce your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.

Treatments: At Hudson Medical, we offer a number of minimally-invasive treatments to help individuals experiencing arthritis pain return to their normal activities. Our team of pain management specialists will work with you to create a tailored treatment regimen including a combination of therapies such as physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and injections such as viscosupplementation, nerve blocks, platelet-rich plasma therapy, and stem cell therapy.

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