Arthritis

What is arthritis?

Arthritis causes joint pain, tenderness, stiffness, and at times swelling. It can affect any joint in your body and tends to worsen over time.

Athletes with a history of joint injuries may be at greater risk of developing arthritis as they get older. Taking care of your joints and treating arthritis during its early stages may prevent or delay the progression of the joint condition and your need for surgical intervention like joint replacement.

What are the types of arthritis?

There are many types of arthritis; the most common includes:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that develops from the wearing away of the cartilage that cushions the bones that make up the joint. 

Osteoarthritis frequently causes chronic knee pain and hip pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition in which your body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of your joint cavity, causing damage and inflammation. 

Psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is also an autoimmune condition. However, with this type of arthritis, your immune system attacks and destroys the connective tissue that makes up your joint. 

Post-traumatic arthritis

Post-traumatic arthritis results in pain and stiffness in the affected joint after an injury.  Sometimes this happens right after an injury, and sometimes its onset is years later.

What can I expect during an arthritis evaluation?

When you visit Sports Health Northwest, Inc, for an arthritis evaluation, you can expect a patient-centered exam. Dr. Westerdahl conducts a comprehensive history and physical to accurately diagnose the cause of your arthritis so he can create an effective treatment plan.

Dr. Westerdahl asks detailed questions about your arthritis symptoms, including the type of pain you feel and the activities that make it worse or better. He also reviews your daily routine and exercise habits, as well as your medical history.

To confirm or rule out a diagnosis, Dr. Westerdahl may run lab work or request imaging tests of your painful joint. 

What are nonsurgical treatments for arthritis?

Dr. Westerdahl customizes your arthritis treatment plan based on the severity of your condition, the underlying cause, and your usual level of activity. His nonsurgical arthritis treatments include:

• Rest, ice, compression, and elevation
• At-home exercise program
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Physical therapy
• Bracing or splinting
• Hyaluronic acid joint injections
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
• Bone marrow aspirate (BMA)
• Alpha 2 macroglobulin (A2M) injection
• Cooled radiofrequency ablation (CRFA)

PRP and BMA are types of orthobiologic treatments that provide your joint with stem cells and growth factors that support your body’s natural healing process. These treatments may help heal your damaged joint and ease your pain. 

For comprehensive nonsurgical care for your arthritis, call Sports Health Northwest, Inc, or schedule an appointment online today.