The winter is upon us and we're bundled up inside this year more than ever before. Caring for arthritis in 2020 has some extra challenges. But here are some ways to keep your joints healthy this winter.
It’s normal to feel aches and pains as you grow older, so when do you know it’s time to see a doctor? Arthritis is the leading cause of joint pain in adults, affecting one in five Americans. If you have any of these symptoms, it may be time to get checked out by a doctor.
There are three common types of arthritis: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis. It’s valuable to know the difference between these three types so you can determine your diagnosis.
This is the most common type of arthritis in older adults. It usually occurs from the natural wear-and-tear of the cartilage between your joint’s bones. When cartilage breaks down, the bones rub together, causing pain. This condition most commonly occurs in hips and knees.
Osteoarthritis flares us with stiffness and dull aches in your joints. You may have OA if you:
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can occur at any age because it is an autoimmune disease. It develops when your immune system attacks your own body’s tissue, injuring the protective lining of your joints, and most commonly occurs in the hands and feet.
Because rheumatoid arthritis can occur at any age, it’s important to know the symptoms. RA typically starts in smaller joints, such as the hands, wrists, elbows, feet, and toes. However, it can spread to your larger joints. Symptoms of RA are:
One noticeable trait of RA is that it often occurs on symmetrical parts of your body.
Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune disease that usually begins with psoriasis, a skin condition. Psoriasis can cause itching, dryness, and scaly rashes. Psoriatic arthritis may not occur for decades after a psoriasis diagnosis. If you have psoriasis, it’s important to know the warning signs of arthritis so that you could get it treated early.
Psoriatic arthritis occurs most commonly in the knees, ankles, fingers, toes, and lower back. Symptoms include:
Some arthritic symptoms overlap, so it may be difficult to know which form of arthritis you have. If you believe you may have one of these conditions, it is always best to get checked out by a doctor before symptoms worsen.
We are leading joint replacement surgeons in the Midwest and treat numerous joint conditions. Call our office today if you would like to make an appointment or speak to a nurse.
You Might Also Enjoy...
The winter is upon us and we're bundled up inside this year more than ever before. Caring for arthritis in 2020 has some extra challenges. But here are some ways to keep your joints healthy this winter.
Midwest Medical Services: Pre-Op Program Preoperative care is a vital piece of preparing for any joint replacement surgery. At MCJR, we do our best to understand your health history and mitigate any risks and complications that may arise. We also...
Dr. Todd Bertrand specializes in complex joint revisions, joint replacement, and orthopedic oncology. He is one of five orthopedic oncologists in Indiana, highly specialized in the treatment of bone tumors in both adults and children. Dr. Bertrand grew...
Indianapolis resident Dick Lutin is a patient of Dr. Carter's who underwent hip replacement surgery in August 2018. Dick loves being outdoors and doing his favorite hobby -- fossil hunting -- with his two daughters. When he suffered an injury to...
Our surgeons are experts in their field and they are always researching the latest in orthopedic discovery to improve patient outcomes. Recently, Dr. Berend presented research on the lateral partial knee replacement at the Current Concepts in Joint...
One of the most common causes of knee pain has nothing to do with your bones and everything to do with the cartilage around your knees. Meniscus tears are one of the most common knee injuries and they can happen at any...