Around one in four adults has arthritis in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). At Advanced Sports Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee, Jim Johnson, MD, specializes in treating conditions that damage the musculoskeletal system. Dr. Johnson focuses on safe and nonsurgical treatments that can restore full function. To learn more about arthritis, call Advanced Sports Medicine today or schedule an appointment online.
Arthritis refers to more than 100 diseases that cause joint inflammation. Many degenerative conditions, autoimmune diseases, and infections can cause arthritis. Determining the type of arthritis you have can influence your treatment. Arthritis tends to worsen with age, so early intervention is important to protect your joint health.
Many types of arthritis exist, but the most common are:
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of degenerative arthritis. OA occurs when the cartilage that protects and cushions the joints breaks down. Without healthy cartilage, friction between bones can lead to joint inflammation, stiffness, poor range of motion, and pain.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that targets the lining inside the joints. As the lining swells, your joints become painful and stiff.
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes scaly, red patches of skin. Many people with psoriasis develop a type of joint inflammation called psoriatic arthritis.
Gout occurs when urate acid crystals accumulate in a specific joint. Unlike other forms of arthritis, gout tends to develop suddenly and typically affects one joint at a time. Redness, swelling, and pain can be severe with gout. While it can develop in nearly any joint, gout commonly occurs in the knees or joint at the base of the big toe.
Symptoms of arthritis can range from mild to severe. Arthritis can affect a single joint or multiple. Common symptoms of arthritis include:
If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you may also experience fever or fatigue, as RA affects the entire immune system.
While anybody can develop arthritis, common risk factors for the condition include:
Having a previous joint injury can also lead to arthritis. That’s why early intervention is essential when treating arthritis.
Dr. Johnson’s goal is to reduce pain in your joint and restore its range of motion without surgery. At Advanced Sports Medicine, Dr. Johnson may recommend:
To learn more about arthritis, call Advanced Sports Medicine today or schedule an appointment online.