What is arthritis?
Arthritis causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and inflammation in one or more of your joints and worsens as you get older.
There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, but some are more common than others.
- Osteoarthritis: The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis. It’s caused when the cartilage in between your joints breaks down due to wear and tear, causing friction and pain.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: An autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your body’s immune system attacks the joints causing inflammation and pain.
- Gout: If your body produces too much uric acid, which is a byproduct of meat and beer, it may accumulate in certain joints, leading to swollen, red, and painful joints.
- Psoriatic arthritis: Psoriatic arthritis is another autoimmune disorder that causes your body to attack the joints, leading to arthritis symptoms.
How is arthritis managed?
Treatment may depend on the type of arthritis that you have, but Dr. Madapati may first recommend over-the-counter medications that help reduce pain and inflammation. If these medications fail to improve your symptoms, she may recommend:
- Corticosteroids
- Physical therapy
- Joint or trigger point injections
Joint replacement may also be needed if the more conservative treatments can’t seem to improve your overall quality of life.
What are joint injections?
Dr. Madapati uses joint injections to place medication directly into the joint to relieve your symptoms. These injections usually consist of anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing medication. The injections may keep you pain free for up to a year.
What are trigger point injections?
If your pain is more muscle related, Dr. Madapati may recommend a trigger point injection. A trigger point is a muscle knot that may cause radiating pain and discomfort. A direct injection of medication into the knot relaxes the muscle and relieves your pain.
Dr. Madapati uses trigger point injections to provide immediate relief from pain in your back, legs, arms, or neck. If needed, she can provide multiple injections during one visit.
For arthritis treatment and pain relief, call Medwell Medical and Aesthetic today or schedule an appointment using the online booking feature.
