ABOUT ARTHRITIS

Arthritis is a general medical term that defines any condition that inflames the joints and aggravates the surrounding tissues. There are about 100 specific types of arthritis. In the US alone, about 54 million people suffer from some form of arthritis. Knee arthritis causes knee pain of course, but the condition may also be responsible for lower back pain. Degenerative arthritis, on the other hand, can show up in almost any joint in your body, causing:

• Upper back pain
• Middle back pain
• Neck pain
• Shoulder pain
• Hip pain

You have to find out which type of arthritis you have before you can get arthritis pain relief. The Spine & Rehab Group have specialized doctors who understand the symptoms associated with the different types of arthritis. Dr. Amr Hosny and his team are expert arthritis specialists at locations like the Financial District in NYC or East Brunswick in NJ.

Among all the forms of arthritis, osteoarthritis is most frequently occurring, especially in women above the age of 45. It can show up as hip arthritis, which can be a root cause of hip injuries or conditions like hip tendonitis. When arthritis affects the spine, it’s known as spondylosis. Spondylosis can cause degenerative disc disease in your neck, in your upper back or in your lower back.

In addition to osteoarthritis, there are other forms of the disease that require arthritis remedies. Of the 100 different types of arthritis, the more common include:

• Gout. This condition, in which uric acid crystalizes painfully in your joints, typically affects the joint in your big toe, causing swelling, pain, redness and tenderness. Men develop the condition more often than women, usually around 30 to 50 years of age.
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis. This affects children younger than 16. It causes joint pain, swelling and stiffness. It can also lead to serious complications like growth problems, joint damage and eye inflammation.
• Polymyalgia rheumatica. This is a chronic autoimmune disease that damages the lining of the joints and surrounding tissues. In rare cases, it even affects your arteries.
• Psoriatic arthritis. This type of arthritis appears in people suffering from psoriasis, a skin condition. There’s no cure, so pain management practices are the only way to get arthritis relief.
• Reactive arthritis. This condition starts as an infection in your intestines, genitals or urinary tract. Both men and women can get this form of arthritis between the ages of 20 and 40.
• Rheumatoid arthritis. This form of arthritis is a disorder that causes your body’s own immune system to attack the joints. It usually starts at around age 40 to 50. Women are three times more likely to suffer from rheumatoid arthritis than men. Starting rheumatoid arthritis treatment early may prevent damage to other vital tissues and organs.
• Secondary arthritis. In this case, a specific trigger causes the cartilage around the joint to break down. The most common reason is due to an injury that causes problems like an ACL tear, meniscus tear, labral tear, neck injury or shoulder injury.
• Septic arthritis. This dangerous disease can be caused by a bacterial, viral or fungal infection that’s travelled through the bloodstream from another part of your body. It may also be caused by an animal bite or trauma that delivers germs directly into a joint. Your arthritis doctor must drain the joint immediately to prevent permanent damage.
• Thumb arthritis. Women older than 40 are most vulnerable to this condition. The cartilage in the thumb joint wears away, leading to joint pain and swelling. It causes you to lose the ability to do simple tasks, such as turning doorknobs or opening jars.

The first plan of action is to determine if your pain is from arthritis, and if so, which form of arthritis you have. Rheumatoid arthritis, for example, may have a different recommended treatment than secondary arthritis.

Once your doctor has reached a definitive diagnosis, the next step is to relieve the pain and swelling. Over-the-counter pain medication relieve your pain temporarily, while icing the area brings the swelling down. Your arthritis specialist may also suggest physical therapy to improve your joint health and minimize damage. Other effective arthritis treatments include:

• Cervical epidural steroid injections if you have arthritis in your neck
• Thoracic epidural steroid injections for arthritis in your upper back
• Lumbar epidural steroid injections if you have arthritis in your lower back
• Trigger point injections
• Facet joint injections
• Caudal epidural steroid injections
• Radiofrequency rhizotomy or radiofrequency neurotomy sessions

If you’re suffering from painful arthritis, book an appointment with the arthritis specialists at the Spine & Rehab Group. With eight locations from Greenwich Village in Manhattan to Paramus in New Jersey, there’s one near you. Contact the office today.