Arthritis is a common disorder that affects your joints by causing pain, degeneration and inflammation, thereby making it difficult to move or lead a quality life. There are many types of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. Each form causes different symptoms and may therefore need a different treatment. While arthritis usually affects older adults, it can develop in men, women and children of any age and is most common in knees, hips, hands, feet and lower back.

Signs & Symptoms

Different types of arthritis present different symptoms – ranging from mild to severe. Some of the common symptoms associated with arthritis include:

1. Pain in joints
2. Redness
3. Stiffness in joints
4. Swelling
5. Tenderness
6. Warmth

Common Causes

Different types of arthritis have different causes, such as gout is the result of too much uric acid accumulation in your body. That said, you may develop arthritis if you:

1. Have a family history of arthritis.
2. Play a sport or perform an activity that puts repeated stress on your joints.
3. Have certain autoimmune diseases or viral infections.

Diagnosis

A physical exam usually helps to find the cause of your joint pain. It may include asking about your symptoms, evaluating your overall health and accessing the range of motion in your joints. However, if necessary, a patient may have to undergo additional tests, such as:

1. X-rays
2. Ultrasound
3. MRI
4. Blood Test

Treatment

Arthritis has no cure, but some treatments can help you manage the condition and lead a quality life. At Genesis Pain Clinic, your treatment plan will be tailored based on the severity of arthritis, the joints affected, the symptoms presented and your overall health condition.

Conservative (nonsurgical) treatments include:

1. Medication: Anti-inflammatory and pain medications often help in relieving arthritis symptoms.
2. Physical therapy: Physical therapy and certain exercises can help improve strength, range of motion and overall mobility.
3. Regenerative therapy: Regenerative medicine, such as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections and stem cell therapy for arthritis, has shown great results for arthritis treatment as an alternative to surgery.
4. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA): For arthritis, RFA has proved to be extremely successful, especially for short- and long-term pain relief. The treatment usually works for up to a year, after which the nerve endings heal, and another dose will likely be necessary.