More than one-fourth of adults develop arthritis, a disease that causes increasing joint pain and disability. Our experienced team at Integrity Spine & Orthopedics provides patient-centered arthritis treatment designed to ease your pain and help you stay active longer. Early treatment can slow progressive joint damage and keep your joints healthy for as long as possible. Don’t wait to seek treatment. Call our office in Jacksonville, Florida, or book an appointment online today.
Arthritis generally refers to joint inflammation. The three most common forms of arthritis are:
Osteoarthritis develops as years of movement wear down the cartilage covering the ends of bones. The cartilage progressively deteriorates, exposing more of the bones and allowing them to grate against one another when you move.
Over time, the bones are damaged extensively. As a result, inflammation develops, causing bone spurs. Osteoarthritis typically begins in large, weight-bearing joints like your knees and hips. It also commonly develops in your spine and shoulders.
Rheumatoid arthritis is triggered by your immune system’s attack on the tissues lining the joint, causing chronic inflammation. Without treatment, the ongoing inflammation gradually erodes the bones and leads to deformities.
Rheumatoid arthritis begins in small joints, first appearing in your fingers, hands, toes, and feet. But it can spread to any joint in your body, including your shoulders, knees, hips, and spine.
Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory arthritis that begins in your spine. The condition usually affects your lower back and sacroiliac joints (the joints connecting your spine and hips). It causes painful inflammation that triggers new bone growth, fusing the vertebrae and limiting spine movement.
All forms of arthritis cause joint pain, stiffness, and limited movement. These conditions gradually get worse, but how quickly that happens differs from one person to another.
Rheumatoid arthritis causes redness and swelling. If arthritis in your spine leads to pinched nerves, you can experience pain and tingling in your arms or legs.
Rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis can also cause inflammation in other parts of the body. Rheumatoid arthritis often affects your skin, eyes, and lungs. Ankylosing spondylitis is associated with eye inflammation and inflammation where ligaments attach to bone, especially in your chest and heels.
Our team tailors your care plan based on the kind of arthritis you have. You could need one or more of the following arthritis treatments:
DMARDs can slow the gradual joint damage caused by rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.
After arthritis reaches an advanced stage and you have widespread joint damage, you could need a joint replacement.
Don’t wait to seek help for joint pain and stiffness. Call Integrity Spine & Orthopedics or request an appointment online today.