Understanding Arthritis: What This Disease Means for Patients in El Paso
Arthritis is an umbrella term used to refer to joint pain or joint disease. Although individuals of all ages face issues relating to arthritis, it becomes more frequent as people age. Arthritis is commonly associated with swelling, pain, and stiffness of the joints. If you’re facing joint issues, Sun City Orthopaedic & Hand Surgery Specialists can help.
Breaking Down Arthritis
Simply put, arthritis is a kind of inflammation in the joints. This inflammation can be accompanied with pain and it may limit the function of the joints as well. In order to avoid irreversible damage and even disability, it’s prudent for sufferers of joint inflammation to seek accurate diagnosis as soon as possible. Injury, hereditary factors, infections, and even autoimmune disorders can lead to arthritis.
Osteoarthritis
As the most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis affects millions of people all around the world. Although it is most common among people 50 years of age or older, this form of arthritis is known to affect younger people as well. In essence, this issue causes the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones to wear down as time goes by. This deterioration will lead to pain, stiffness, and loss of flexibility. This is because the disease is degenerative, meaning it gets worse over time.
Rheumatoid arthritis
This autoimmune disorder manifests as chronic inflammation that affects the joints. Being an autoimmune disorder means that rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the membrane and tissue that surrounds the joint, resulting in inflammation.
Post-traumatic arthritis
Unlike the previous forms of arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis occurs when an individual’s joint becomes damaged due to physical injury. If the joint has suffered from any kind of physical injury (may it be from a vehicle accident, fall, or sports accident), it will wear down over time, eventually leading to pain and swelling.
How Arthritis Affects the Body
Arthritis isn’t mutually exclusive to the joints of your body. It can also affect body parts such as the eyes, lungs, skin, and heart. If you suffer from inflammatory arthritis, for instance, your body’s immune system will mistakenly attack joints with uncontrolled inflammation. This can lead to joint erosion and may cause damage to several internal organs. It’s important for patients to understand that arthritis can affect many parts of the body. Sun City Orthopaedic & Hand Specialists has treatment options available to patients in the El Paso area and beyond.
What You Can Do About Arthritis
There are many arthritis treatment options available for patients to regain the ability to use their joints freely without suffering from pain or inflammation. Medication can treat arthritis and its symptoms, but if drugs don’t provide the relief you’re after, it may be time to consider joint surgery. Surgery is often required to treat osteoarthritis. Arthroscopy, joint resurfacing, and total joint replacement are three of the most common types of arthritis surgery. Deciding on the right surgery depends on the severity of the damage to joint.
Seek Medical Assistance in El Paso for Arthritisass=”lead”>
If you’re in the El Paso area and you’re suffering from joint inflammation, then it’s time to contact Sun City Orthopaedic & Hand Specialists. Our team specializes in all aspects of joint health, so we will be able to provide physical therapy, medication, and surgical assistance if necessary. Don’t let your joint pain stop you from living life to the fullest. Contact us today.