Arthritis Specialist

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is not a single condition but rather refers to a group of more than 100 conditions that affect your joints. Arthritis can affect anyone regardless of age or gender, but it’s more common among older adults, especially those 65 and older, and affects women more than men.

Different types of arthritis have different underlying causes and affect your joints in various ways, but they share common symptoms in the affected joints, including:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Redness
• Tenderness
• Reduced range of motion

Arthritis symptoms can range from mild to severe, and they may come and go over time. In many cases, when left untreated, symptoms get gradually worse. Arthritis can make tasks and activities more difficult, and in severe cases, it causes lasting deformities in the joints.

What are the different types of arthritis?

Though there are more than 100 types of arthritis, most cases fit into one of the following categories:

Degenerative arthritis

Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, is degenerative. It occurs when the cartilage at the end of your bones wears down over time. This causes your bones to rub together, leading to inflammation.

Inflammatory arthritis

Arthritis is inflammatory when it results from your immune system attacking your joints. Autoimmune forms of arthritis include rheumatoid arthritis, the second most common kind of arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis, which accompanies the skin condition psoriasis.

Metabolic arthritis

Metabolic arthritis, also known as gout, results from a buildup of uric acid that your body doesn’t break down successfully and is often caused by your dietary habits.

Infectious arthritis

Joint pain sometimes results from a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection of a joint.

How is arthritis treated?

Arthritis treatment varies depending on the type of arthritis you have and its underlying causes. Dr. Farheen develops a personalized treatment plan that may include medication, lifestyle changes such as exercise and a better diet, and physical therapy.

Dr. Farheen focuses on arthritis treatment that helps you manage your symptoms to reduce your pain and prevent your condition from worsening. Though many forms of arthritis have no cure, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, treatment can greatly reduce the impact the condition has on your life and overall health.

To get help from Dr. Farheen managing your arthritis, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.