Arthritis

Each year, more than 50 million Americans learn that they have some form of arthritis. Though once associated with crippling pain and joint deterioration, advances in knowledge and treatment make living with arthritis manageable, especially with the help of Adam Shestack, MD, and Cy Blanco, MD, and their experienced team of pain management specialists at Florida Pain Management Institute. To learn more about how you can manage arthritis pain, call the offices in Boynton Beach, Delray Beach and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, or request an appointment online today.

What is arthritis?

Rather than a single disease or condition, arthritis is a catch-all phrase, including a variety of ailments that result in inflammation of the joints of your body. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are perhaps the best-known varieties. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also includes conditions such as gout, lupus, and fibromyalgia in its arthritis statistics. 

What distinguishes the common forms of arthritis?

Osteoarthritis is by far the most frequently seen form of the condition. It’s a wear-and-tear affliction. Cartilage starts breaking down, exposing bones where they meet in a joint so that the slippery surface that aids the free movement of the joint becomes compromised. In extreme cases, bone-on-bone contact may result.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder in which your body attacks its own tissue, in this case, the joint lining called the synovium. As the joint deteriorates, cartilage and bone are also damaged until the joint starts to fail.

What symptoms does arthritis cause?

Joint stiffness and pain are the most common complaints from arthritic conditions. You may also experience swelling and redness, particularly with rheumatoid arthritis, and you may lose range of motion in an affected joint. Depending on the type of arthritis, you might experience pain in your:

• Facet joints (e.g., neck, low back)
• Shoulders
• Elbows
• Wrists
• Hips
• Knees

Different joints respond to certain treatments better than others, and the team helps you build a treatment plan with a multi-modal approach to relieve symptoms and improve your quality of life.

How is arthritis treated?

Treating arthritis requires long-term care since most forms of it are chronic or degenerative conditions. Treating your arthritis or joint pain helps you retain your mobility for as long as possible and stay independent later in life. Florida Pain Management Institute provides several solutions for arthritis pain, such as:

• Facet joint injections
• Sacroiliac joint injections
• Peripheral joint injections
• Viscosupplementation
• Medication management

For most joint injection therapies, the Florida Pain Management Institute team uses ultrasound imaging to guide the needle. With guidance, you’re less likely to experience more joint damage as a result of the needle’s penetration.

Your arthritic condition likely creates a combination of symptoms exclusive to you, so personalized care and condition management are essential for the best quality of life. To learn more about how you can find relief from arthritis pain, call Florida Pain Management Institute or use the online booking tool to request an appointment today.