Arthritis is a progressive disease that affects the health of your joints. There are over 100 types of arthritis that can interfere with your mobility and quality of life, but the two most common types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

When you have osteoarthritis, the protective cartilage that covers the ends of the bones that form your joints wears down and allows the bones to rub together. This leads to friction that causes chronic pain and limits the function and range of motion of the affected joint.

In rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system mistakenly attacks the otherwise healthy lining of your joints, resulting in persistent inflammation and pain. This autoimmune disorder can progress over time, causing limitations in your joint movements, joint deformities, and disability.

Your risk for arthritis increases as you get older as degenerative changes start affecting the functionality and structure of your joints.

You may also be at increased risk for developing arthritis and related complications due to factors like:

• Obesity

• Family history

• History of joint injuries

Women are especially prone to osteoarthritis, while men are more susceptible to gout, a type of arthritis that causes joint inflammation due to high levels of uric acid in the blood. This acid forms sharp crystals in the joints, resulting in persistent pain, swelling, and limitations in joint movement.

Initial treatments for arthritis pain typically involve over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatories to keep you comfortable. Your Associated Orthopedists of Detroit PC doctor may also suggest physical therapy to keep your muscles strong and your joints flexible.

If these therapies aren't enough to prevent pain or disability, your doctor may suggest injections of corticosteroids to quickly alleviate inflammation that triggers pain.

They can also inject high concentrations of stem cells or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to stimulate the growth of new, healthy cells to replace the damaged ones.

In situations where arthritis is severe and causes deformities in the joint, the surgical team at Associated Orthopedists of Detroit PC can perform minimally invasive joint replacement surgery to remove damaged areas of your joint and replace them with artificial parts that function just like your natural joint.

The skilled surgeons are also experienced in joint fusion surgeries, especially for arthritis that affects the small bones of the ankle or fingers. The goal of this type of surgery is to fuse two or more joint bones together to stabilize the joint and prevent movement that causes irritation and pain.

Find out more about available options for relief of chronic arthritis pain by calling Associated Orthopedists of Detroit PC or schedule a consultation through the online booking system today.