The varying forms of arthritis account for more cases of chronic joint pain than any other cause, bringing misery and disability to millions of people across the United States. If you have arthritis, the highly skilled team of orthopedic surgeons at Midwest Center for Joint Replacement can help. At their offices in Indianapolis and Bloomington, Indiana, they deliver expert treatments for arthritis, including joint injections, and they specialize in joint replacement surgery. Call the team today to find out more, or book an appointment online.
Arthritis takes more than 100 forms, some common and some very unusual. All types of arthritis cause painful joint inflammation, but while certain forms affect multiple joints, others develop in just one joint.
The types of arthritis that occur most commonly include:
Of these, osteoarthritis is the most common.
The different forms of arthritis have varying causes. Rheumatoid arthritis develops because of an autoimmune disorder that destroys the joint linings. Gout sets in when there's a buildup of uric acid crystals in a joint — most often the big toe.
Osteoarthritis (OA) develops when the protective covering at the end of your bones (cartilage) starts to wear down. This results in the bones brushing against one another, creating significant pain in the affected joints.
Your likelihood of developing osteoarthritis increases because of normal wear-and-tear as you age. Other risk factors include:
You may have OA if your knees are stiff in the morning when you first wake up or after long periods of rest.
You might also notice swelling in your knee following physical activity, experience tenderness or heat in your knees, and feel a grinding sensation or hear creaking or popping sounds when you bend your knees.
There's no cure for arthritis, so treatments aim to relieve the symptoms. Midwest Center for Joint Replacement recommends beginning arthritis treatment using noninvasive approaches such as:
Corticosteroid injections deliver temporary relief for joint pain. Injections containing the hormone cortisol can reduce inflammation in your joints and relieve pain for around 3-6 months, and sometimes longer.
Physical therapy exercises help strengthen the muscles around your knee, which can ease the pain of mild osteoarthritis.
Changes in your diet, exercise habits, and sleeping patterns can all help with the pain of arthritis. The Midwest Center for Joint Replacement team might urge you to adopt a healthier diet and a more regular sleep schedule, and regularly perform low-impact exercises.
If these treatments aren't effective or your arthritis becomes too severe to cope with, surgery could provide long-lasting results.
Joint replacement surgery is a well-established, proven, and typically safe procedure that can restore function to your joints and relieve chronic pain.
The Midwest Center for Joint Replacement team specializes in using minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to perform surgery for arthritis. These techniques use a tiny camera on a flexible tube to relay video images of the inside of the joint to your surgeon's monitor.
Arthroscopy requires only small incisions, just large enough to get the arthroscope and specialized instruments into the joint. In most cases, you can have joint replacement surgery as an outpatient at Midwest Center for Joint Replacement's Specialty Surgery Center.
To find out more and schedule a consultation, call or book online today.
