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Arthritis is an umbrella term for conditions that affect the joint. Typically, these conditions cause swelling at a joint. There are many different types and causes of arthritis. A physician, such as your primary care doctor, a rheumatologist or an orthopedic doctor, can determine the type of arthritis you may be experiencing based on your symptoms, as well as a few tests. Once they determine the cause for your arthritis, a treatment plan will be developed. This can include lifestyle modifications, medications, and physical therapy.
Uric acid crystals, which form when there’s too much uric acid in your blood, can cause gout. Infections or underlying disease, such as psoriasis or lupus, can cause other types of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis involves wear-and-tear damage to a joint’s cartilage. Cartilage cushions the ends of the bones and allows nearly frictionless joint motion, but enough damage can result in bone grinding directly on bone, which causes pain and restricted movement. It can also cause changes in the bones and deterioration of the connective tissues that attach muscle to bone and hold the joint together. If cartilage in a joint is severely damaged, the joint lining may become inflamed and swollen.
Rheumatoid arthritis involves the body’s immune system attacking the lining of the joint capsule, a tough membrane that encloses all the joint parts. This lining (synovial membrane) becomes inflamed and swollen. The disease process can eventually destroy cartilage and bone within the joint.
Here are some common symptoms of arthritis:
Please note that the specific symptoms can vary depending on the type of arthritis and its severity. It’s important to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis if you suspect you have arthritis.
Here are the causes and risk factors associated with arthritis:
Physical therapy is a very useful tool to assist in managing symptoms so you can participate in your favorite hobbies or activities of daily living. At the Hobson Institute, we treat arthritis based on the specific symptoms you present with. Your physical therapist will assess your range of motion, the strength of your surrounding muscles, as well as examine how you walk and move. Based on these findings, your physical therapist will determine a treatment plan to improve your range of motion and strength in order to improve your function.
Physical therapy can help you get moving safely and effectively. Our physical therapists are licensed professionals with graduate degrees and clinical experience who examine, diagnose and treat or help prevent these conditions that limit the body’s ability to move and function in daily life.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment (312-986-9833).
