Arthritis

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is an umbrella term for a group of diseases that cause inflammation and pain in your joints. Arthritis develops over time, and along with pain, patients may also experience symptoms like:

• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Tenderness
• Redness around the joint
• Reduced mobility

Arthritis primarily affects your joints, but advanced cases can also impact your heart, kidneys, eyes, and other major organs. There is no known cure for arthritis, but at Pioneer Peak Orthopedics, the team works to reduce your symptoms and can ease this chronic condition.

How is arthritis diagnosed?

During an evaluation, your physician at Pioneer Peak Orthopedics reviews your medical and family history and asks questions about your current symptoms.

A physical exam helps determine how far along the disease has progressed and assesses your joint’s overall mobility and strength. 

Your specialist may also order advanced imaging tests to better visualize your joints or to confirm a diagnosis. The practice uses on-site comprehensive imaging technology that ranges from digital X-rays to MRI scans to determine the type of arthritis that you have.  

How is arthritis treated?

Once your arthritis diagnosis is confirmed, your Pioneer Peak Orthopedics provider devises a customized treatment plan to reduce your pain and prevent additional damage to your joints. 

They may provide oral or injectable medication. Using ultrasound technology, your physician pinpoints areas of your arthritic joint and uses targeted injections to offer pain relief and restore degraded joint fluid. 

Along with medication, the practice has a state-of-the-art gym with advanced equipment designed to provide support and strengthen weak joints. A licensed physical therapist can teach you exercises to help manage pain and prevent joint deformation. 

Physical therapy, combined with other lifestyle changes like modifications to your diet, can make a huge difference to your condition and improve the quality of your life.

For advanced cases that don’t respond to medication and physical therapy, your doctor can recommend surgical options to repair or replace an arthritic joint.

To learn more about the various treatments for arthritis that can help relieve pain and increase mobility, call Pioneer Peak Orthopedics or request a consultation online today.