Arthritis describes swelling, pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility in the joints. It’s also common to have a hard time performing daily activities like straightening your fingers or holding things in your hands.
When two or more bones come together in your body, they form a joint. The ends of your bones are covered in cartilage to create a smooth surface for your joints to move. Your joints are also lined with synovial membrane that reduces friction and provides lubrication.
If you have arthritis, it can affect your joint cartilage or your synovial membrane depending on which form you have.
There are more than 100 types of arthritis. The most common forms affecting the hands are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
This form of arthritis is a debilitating autoimmune disease. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system misfires and attacks the synovial membrane lubricating your joints. When this serious condition arises, it usually occurs in your feet and hands.
Anyone of any age can develop rheumatoid arthritis, but it’s more common in women and typically starts between the ages of 40-60.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. This condition is a result of cartilage degeneration. Some people with osteoarthritis also experience abnormal growths of bone in their joints known as bone spurs, which creates additional discomfort.
Approximately 30 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis. It’s associated with aging, overuse, or injury to your joints.
In most cases, arthritis pain is present even while you’re resting.
When you have arthritis, the first course of treatment typically includes conservative therapies like over-the-counter pain relievers, prescription medications, and joint injections, like steroids, to reduce inflammation.
If your arthritis symptoms don’t respond to conservative treatments, your doctor at Arizona Center for Hand to Shoulder Surgery might suggest a variety of surgical procedures to offer relief, including:
If you’re tired of living with arthritis pain, Arizona Center for Hand to Shoulder Surgery in Phoenix offers a variety of treatments to ease your symptoms. The skilled team of orthopedic surgeons has advanced training in treating complex and painful conditions, like arthritis. For more information on arthritis treatment, call Arizona Center for Hand to Shoulder Surgery or schedule an appointment online today. call us to see how we can help with our Arthritis Services
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