Arthritis is not a single condition, but a term that describes a group of conditions — more than 100 — that affect the joints. Many forms of arthritis are degenerative and the main symptom across all varieties is joint pain.

What causes arthritis pain?

Most cases of arthritis fall into two categories: degenerative and inflammatory.

Degenerative arthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of degenerative arthritis where the cartilage between the bones of your joints begins to break down and the bones rub together causing swelling, pain, and stiffness.

Osteoarthritis can affect any joint, but most commonly affects the joints in your:

• Knees
• Hips
• Hands
• Spine

Inflammatory arthritis

Most of the time, your immune system’s inflammatory response is designed to protect your body, but sometimes things go wrong and your immune system attacks your joints with inflammation. If you have an inflammatory form of arthritis, your joints — and even your organs — are at risk.

Rheumatoid arthritis, the most common form of inflammatory arthritis, most often attacks the hands, wrists, and feet. It can lead to severe pain and loss of function, making pain management a critical concern. If you have questions about strategies to control pain associated with inflammatory arthritis, Dr. Reilly has answers.

Other forms of arthritis

Other types of arthritis include infectious and metabolic, and Dr. Reilly is familiar with treating the pain that results from all forms of arthritis. He is happy to discuss your condition and the pain management approach that may be most effective for you.

How is arthritis pain treated?

Dr. Reilly has a veritable arsenal of techniques to treat your arthritis pain. He may recommend some combination of the following treatments:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Prescription medications
• Lifestyle modifications such as weight loss and maintaining an active lifestyle
• Injections of corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy

• Stem cell therapy

Regardless of the type of arthritis you’ve been diagnosed with, controlling your pain so that you can continue to live a healthy lifestyle is important. Call or book a consultation online at Restore Brain Sport and Spine to learn about your options.