Arthritis: Causes, Symptoms & Effective Treatment Options

Arthritis affects millions of individuals worldwide. Living with arthritis feels like a delicate balancing act many times; one minute you're doing fine, and the next your day is taken over by joint pain and stiffness. Conventional treatments like painkillers and lifestyle changes don't always help a lot of people. You're not the only one who is wondering what comes next in the treatment of arthritis. The positive news?

Many novel treatments are revolutionizing the way this common yet devastating disorder is treated, providing new hope for better mobility and pain relief. These advancements open up fascinating new opportunities, from biologics to stem cell therapy, sophisticated injections, and improved physical therapy techniques. There will be curative treatments available to us in the very near future.

But currently medications, physiotherapies, and surgical options are playing a great role in managing the condition and improving the quality of life. As you scroll down, you will learn more about arthritis and ways to manage it thoroughly.

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a condition that damages your joints. Joints are sites in the body where two bones join. Joints are responsible for body movements. Some joints naturally wear out with age. A lot of individuals develop arthritis after the normal wear and tear with the progression of life. Some kinds of arthritis develop as a result of joint injury. Certain medical issues can also cause arthritis. Arthritis may affect every joint but most commonly affects the following ones:

Hands
Wrists
Knees
Hips
Shoulders
Feet and ankles
Lower back

Your doctor will assist you in recognizing and managing symptoms such as pain and stiffness. Some persons with severe arthritis eventually require surgery to replace the afflicted joints.

Consult a doctor if you have significant joint pain that interferes with your regular activities or if you feel you can't move or utilize your joints normally.

The causes of arthritis vary according to the type:

Osteoarthritis develops naturally as you age. Constant usage of your joints can wear down the cartilage protection over time.
Gout may happen if your blood contains too much uric acid (hyperuricemia).
Your immune system may lead to arthritis (including rheumatoid arthritis) by accidentally damaging your own joints.
Certain viral infections, notably COVID-19, can cause viral arthritis.
Arthritis can occur without a known cause. Providers refer to this as idiopathic arthritis.

When Does Arthritis Begin?

Arthritis can occur at any age. Its knocking time varies on the type and the cause. In general, osteoarthritis affects individuals over the age of 50. Rheumatoid arthritis mainly affects individuals aged 30 to 60.

Other types have a more obvious reason. Arthritis typically begins when your body gets a precise trigger, like certain viral infections and post-traumatic arthritis. Such types of arthritis do not develop until the joints are wounded or the body has encountered a viral infection like COVID. Also, gout does not occur until the uric acid levels have been elevated for at least several months.

Consult an orthopedic specialist about your specific arthritis risk and when you should begin looking for indications or changes in your joints.

What are the Types of Arthritis?

Following are the various types of arthritis:

Type of Arthritis	Site, Symptoms, Causes, Progression
Ankylosing Spondylitis	A chronic inflammatory arthritis that mainly affects the spine, causing stiffness and reduced mobility.
Gout	A painful arthritis caused by uric acid crystal buildup in the joints, often affecting the big toe.
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)	The most common type of arthritis in children, causing persistent joint swelling and pain.
Osteoarthritis	A degenerative joint disease where the protective cartilage wears down over time.
Psoriatic Arthritis	An inflammatory arthritis linked with psoriasis, affecting joints and skin.
Reactive Arthritis	Joint inflammation triggered by an infection elsewhere in the body.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)	An autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the joints, causing pain and swelling.
Septic Arthritis	A painful joint infection caused by bacteria, requiring urgent treatment.
Thumb Arthritis	Wear-and-tear arthritis affects the base of the thumb, leading to pain and reduced grip.

What are the Symptoms of Arthritis?

The most common symptoms of arthritis are:

Joint pain
Swelling (inflammation)
Stiffness or restricted range of motion
Skin discoloration
Tenderness or sensitivity to touch around a joint
Increased temperature of skin near your joints

The type of arthritis you have and the joints it affects will determine where you feel symptoms. Flares, also known as flare-ups, are intermittent waves of symptoms caused by some kinds of arthritis. Others cause constant pain or stiffness in your joints, especially after physical activity.

What are Treatment Options for Arthritis?

Although there isn't a cure for arthritis, your doctor will assist you with therapies to control your symptoms. The type of arthritis you have, its cause, and the joints it affects will determine the therapies you require.

The following are the most effective therapies for arthritis:

OTC (over-the-counter) anti-inflammatory medications such as NSAIDs.
Oral or injectable corticosteroids (prescription anti-inflammatory medications)
If you have psoriatic or rheumatoid arthritis, you should take disease-modifying antirheumatic medications (DMARDs)
Your strength, range of motion, and self-assurance when moving can all be enhanced with physical therapy or occupational therapy
Joint replacement surgery (only in cases when nonsurgical therapies fail to alleviate your symptoms)

Conclusion

Arthritis is amongst the most common medical conditions that many people encounter at some point in their lives. However, you shouldn't have to endure suffering simply because many people have it. Consult an orthopedic specialist about managing the symptoms of arthritis. They will assist you in figuring out how to manage joint discomfort and stiffness in a personalized manner. This can help to get more time engaging in the things you like.

When you have arthritis, you need experts by your side. At Surya Hospital, we’ll create an individualized treatment plan for you. Get expert care from top orthopedic specialists in Mumbai. Book your consultation now!

FAQs

Q1: Do specific weather conditions exacerbate arthritis?
A: Certain weather conditions might make arthritis worse for certain people. Two typical causes of joint discomfort are humidity and cold.

Q2: How quickly can arthritic pain be relieved?
A: There is no one solution that works for everyone since every person's body reacts differently to various therapies. Your doctor will assist you in choosing a mix of therapies that will reduce the pain associated with your arthritis. As soon as your arthritis symptoms start to worsen, you can go for over-the-counter or prescription medication. To prevent pain flare-ups, some patients take arthritis medication on a regular basis.

Q3: When should I visit an orthopedic specialist for joint pain relief?
A: Visit an orthopedic specialist if you experience severe joint pain lasting for more than a week, stiffness, or worsening or more frequent flare-ups of these symptoms.