Arthritis

Arthritis Q & A

What are the most common types of arthritis?

Arthritis is an umbrella term referring to several health conditions that all cause joint inflammation. The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It’s often called wear-and-tear arthritis because it develops as normal daily activities slowly break down the articular cartilage. Articular cartilage covers the ends of the bones inside the joint, where it reduces friction and allows smooth movement.

As the cartilage wears away, bone rubs against bone, causing more cartilage and bone damage along with inflammation. You can develop osteoarthritis in any joint, but it most often occurs in weight-bearing joints like your knees and hips.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis, the second most common type, is an autoimmune disorder in which your own immune system attacks the synovial lining inside the joint. That leads to chronic inflammation that gradually causes joint deformities.

What symptoms develop due to arthritis?

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis cause:

• Joint pain and aching

• Stiff joints

• Limited movement

• Inflammation

• Swelling

Rheumatoid arthritis also has two characteristics that aren’t found with osteoarthritis. 

First, it affects the same joint on both sides of your body. Additionally, the inflammation that begins with rheumatoid arthritis can spread to other areas of your body, creating new symptoms that seem unrelated to your joint disease.

What are the treatment options for arthritis?

Managing your symptoms is the first step when treating arthritis. That may include over-the-counter pain medications and physical therapy to strengthen the surrounding muscles and also increase range of motion. 

Regenerative injections at painful, arthritic joints are also a minimally invasive solution that can relieve pain and induce self-healing. These injections help regrow and build knee joint tissue. 

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are one type of this therapy that uses a concentrated sample of your own blood to send healing platelets directly to the site of inflammation. The platelets feature cytokines and growth factors that can restore degenerated tissue and help you avoid surgery. 

Advanced shoulder, knee, or hip arthritis may require surgery if it can’t be managed with injections, braces, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes. Surgery for arthritis may require a joint replacement. During this procedure, your doctor replaces the deteriorated joint partially or entirely with plastic and metal components. 

To get relief from arthritis pain, call the team at Sports Medicine Oregon or schedule an appointment online.