You might think that suffering from aches and pains is a natural part of getting older, however, at Mattalino Orthopedic in Phoenix, AZ, we know that that’s not always the case. If you are suffering from pain, stiffness, swelling, or reduced movement in your joints, then you may have arthritis, and it may be time to seek out an orthopedic doctor in Phoenix to see what can be done about it.
Can an Orthopedic Doctor in Phoenix Tell If You Have Arthritis?
The answer to this question is, essentially, yes! However, it may be that an orthopedic doctor is not the best choice for your treatment. This may sound strange until you realize that arthritis is not just one condition, but a number of conditions causing joint pain and stiffness, and that different types have different treatments.
What Kinds of Arthritis Are There?
There are several different types of arthritis. The two most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Though these two different kinds of arthritis may have similar symptoms, finding out which type you have is key to identifying the proper course of treatment.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
This kind of arthritis is caused by your body’s own immune system. It is an inflammatory autoimmune disease in which the body begins to attack the thin membranes that line the joints. It is a chronic condition, meaning that it cannot be cured; however, it can be put into remission, or halted, with the right treatment.
Symptoms
The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include stiffness, swelling, and pain in the joints, particularly in the hands and feet. It may also cause a feeling of warmness (caused by the body’s inflammatory response), again most commonly in the hands and feet. Because this condition is caused by the body’s immune system, it is usual to observe these symptoms appearing symmetrically, that is, affecting both sides of the body more or less equally. Because rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation in the body, patients may also exhibit fatigue, a low-grade fever, and even anemia as a result.
If you have rheumatoid arthritis, your treatment is more suitable to be handed over to a rheumatologist, that is, a specialist who deals with conditions of the immune system. However, you may in time be referred to an orthopedic doctor in Phoenix as those with rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to go on to develop osteoarthritis as well.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the more common form of this condition and is caused by the degeneration of cartilage around the joints, most commonly as a result of wear and tear on the joint over a lifetime. For this reason, it is sometimes called degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease.
Symptoms
The symptoms of osteoarthritis include pain, tenderness, and stiffness in the joints, particularly in the hands, knees, hips, and spine. In the hands, this pain is usually found particularly in the small bones of the fingers, and in the joint at the base of the thumb. Over time, if untreated, the joints may begin to look crooked or misshapen. There may be sensations of cracking or creaking, and the muscles around the affected joints may become weakened, especially around the knee.
Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, this pain is often asymmetrical, that is, affecting one side more than the other. An example of this would be that you are more likely to develop osteoarthritis in your dominant hand.
How Would an Orthopedic Doctor in Phoenix Diagnose Osteoarthritis?
If you suspect that you have arthritis, especially osteoarthritis, then you should get in touch with us at Mattalino Orthopedic. Renowned orthopedic surgeon Angelo Mattalino, MD has extensive experience in treating patients with arthritis, enabling them to regain function and improve their quality of life.
When you come for a consultation, Dr. Mattalino will go through your medical history, discuss your symptoms with you, and conduct a physical examination. It may also be necessary to run further tests to confirm the diagnosis. In some cases, it may be possible to confirm this diagnosis via an ultrasound or an x-ray. In other cases, we may need to conduct arthrocentesis, where a sample of the fluid inside your joint is removed with a small hollow needle, a closed synovial biopsy, where a piece of joint lining tissue is removed for examination, or arthroscopy, where we look inside your joints with a tiny camera.
What Treatments Are Available?
Arthritis treatments are not one-size-fits-all. There are a number of things that can be done to help arthritis sufferers in different ways.
Medication
To treat the pain and inflammation of arthritis, there are a number of medications that you can make use of. These include topical creams, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and acetaminophen. You may also find it helpful to take supplements like glucosamine or have steroid injections administered to some of your arthritic joints.
Lifestyle Changes
Your lifestyle cannot guarantee that you won’t get arthritis, but if you have the condition, there are changes you can make to your lifestyle that can ease your pain and stop the condition from getting worse. If you have been diagnosed with arthritis, one of the most helpful things you can do is to lose weight. This relieves some of the pressure on your joints, and can prevent the condition from getting any worse. In addition, getting more exercise can help to strengthen your muscles, which again protects your joints, especially when supported by a physical therapist.
Surgery
Surgeries are available to help reduce arthritic pain and increase mobility. One of the most innovative and effective of these is viscosupplementation, where a special lubricating solution is injected into the joint to reduce friction, thereby reducing pain and protecting the joint from further damage. The solution is made with hyaluronic acid, a substance found naturally in the body, making it suitable for most candidates.
Don’t Suffer in Silence
If you are suffering from joint pain and think it might be arthritis, don’t delay. Get professional help from an orthopedic doctor in Phoenix when you get in touch with us at Mattalino Orthopedic in Phoenix, AZ.