What is arthritis?

Arthritis is joint inflammation that causes joint pain and stiffness. You can develop arthritis in any joint in the body, but it most often affects the ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, and hands.

What are the types of arthritis?

There are over 100 types of arthritis. Some of the more common include:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis, is the gradual breakdown of the cartilage that separates the bones in the joint. This is the most prevalent type of arthritis and a common cause of knee pain, hip pain, and shoulder pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

RA is an autoimmune disease that causes joint inflammation and pain because the immune system mistakenly attacks the joint. When left untreated, RA may cause permanent joint damage. 

Juvenile arthritis

Juvenile arthritis is the most common type of arthritis in children. It’s an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the tissues around the joint. 

What happens during an arthritis consultation?

The specifics of your arthritis consultation at Dearborn and Livonia Orthopedics & Sports Medicine depend on your unique needs. 

Your provider first asks detailed questions about your arthritis symptoms, including location and severity of your pain and how it affects your daily routine. They also ask about your medical history and examine the affected joint.

Your provider performs X-rays or an MRI to assess the severity of your arthritis and the degree of your joint damage. 

What are some of my treatment options for arthritis?

Dearborn and Livonia Orthopedics & Sports Medicine first focuses on conservative treatment options for arthritis before considering surgery. Conservative care may include:

• Activity modification
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Physical therapy
• Bracing or splinting
• Corticosteroid injections
• Viscosupplementation injections

If conservative care fails to improve your arthritis pain, or if your condition worsens, your provider may talk to you about surgery to repair the joint. 

The orthopedic experts at Dearborn and Livonia Orthopedics & Sports Medicine perform knee replacement, hip replacement, and other joint replacement procedures. 

To get help for your arthritis, call Dearborn and Livonia Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, or schedule an appointment online today.