Arthritis

Arthritis is a condition where joints can hurt, get swollen, or both. According to the CDC, about 54.4 million Americans (that’s around 22.7% of the population) have this condition.

People with arthritis might need both therapy and medication to feel better and prevent further harm to their joints.

Types of Arthritis

The two most common types of arthritis are:

1. Osteoarthritis:

This is the most common type, and it affects about 32.5 million adults in the US.

It often shows up as we get older, usually in our 40s or 50s. More women tend to get it than men, and it can also run in families. But sometimes, injuries or other joint problems like rheumatoid arthritis or gout can bring it on.

An injury of a joint that creates instability can lead degenerative changes in the joint.

Osteoarthritis usually happens in the smooth cartilage that cushions our joints. That cartilage is called articular cartilage is the disease process thins it, it leads to greater compression forces on the bone underneath. In addition, As it wears away, our tendons and ligaments have to work harder to keep us moving. If it gets really bad, X-rays can show that the joint space is narrower, which doctors call “bone-on-bone.” The good news is that even with these changes, it doesn’t always mean that you will have pain, especially if our body is flexible and moves well.

Osteoarthritis most often affects our knees, spine, hips, and hands as part of getting older.

2. Rheumatoid Arthritis:

This is the second most common type and affects around 1.3 million Americans. Rheumatoid arthritis is different because it’s not about aging; it can happen at any age, even in kids. More often, it affects women, and they’re two to three times more likely to have it than men. Women usually get it between 30 and 60, while men tend to develop it later.

This type of arthritis is about the body’s immune system attacking a joint. It starts with the lining of the joint, causing swelling and pain.

Over time, it can change the joint’s shape and damage the cartilage and even the bone. It doesn’t stop there; rheumatoid arthritis can also affect other parts of the body, like …

the eyes, skin, blood, lungs, heart, and blood vessels.

Causes of Arthritis

Osteoarthritis: This is often a result of the normal wear and tear on joints as we age. Injuries or infections to the joints can speed up the development of this condition. If you have a family history of osteoarthritis, you’re more likely to experience it. The good news is that having osteoarthritis doesn’t always mean you’ll have pain. Pain can often be relieved by improving your body’s flexibility and the space in your joints.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): This is different; it’s an autoimmune disorder. We’re not exactly sure what causes autoimmune conditions, but there are certain genetic markers that can increase the risk of developing RA by up to five times. These markers include:

  • High erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
  • High levels of C-reactive protein (CRP)
  • High levels of antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP)

Diagnosing Arthritis

Doctors will assess the following when diagnosing this condition:

  • The range of motion in the joints.
  • Areas of tenderness or swelling around the joints.
  • Overall health evaluation to determine whether symptoms are caused by a different condition such as a movement disorder from stiffness or weakness in the soft tissues surrounding the joints.

Imaging examinations can also help in identifying arthritis. An X-ray, MRI, or ultrasound scan can reveal the following information:

  • Cartilage breakdowns
  • Injuries to muscles, ligaments, or tendons
  • Inflammation in the soft tissue

Treating Arthritis

When you’re dealing with arthritis pain, doctors may suggest various treatment options to help you feel better:

Medication: Your doctor can prescribe different medications to manage pain. These may include pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs that modify the course of the disease, biologics, or corticosteroids. These medications are used to reduce pain, inflammation, or both.

Diet: Sometimes, a change in your diet can be recommended. While there isn’t a specific diet that cures arthritis, some foods like fish, nuts, seeds, and beans can be helpful. On the other hand, certain vegetables like tomatoes, known as nightshades, may be linked to arthritis pain and could be advised against.

Surgery: In severe cases where joint damage is significant, your doctor might suggest surgical treatments. This can involve replacing the damaged joint with an artificial one or fusing the ends of bones together permanently.

These conventional treatments aim to manage pain and prevent further joint damage but are effective only about 45% of the time.

Physical therapists as movement specialists can offer treatment options which address not only the pain but also its root causes, leading to longer-lasting relief.

Physical Therapy treatment offerings

  1. Dry Needling: This technique uses thin needles to target specific trigger points in muscle fibers, providing pain relief in a safe and nearly painless way, especially for musculoskeletal issues.
  2. Deep Muscle Stimulation: Mechanical vibrations are applied to penetrate muscle tissue, improving circulation, lymphatic flow, tissue regeneration, and reducing pain-causing lactic acid buildup.
  3. Heat and Cold Therapy: These therapies help change blood circulation to relieve pain. Heat relaxes muscles and supports tissue healing, while cold reduces swelling. Depending on your needs, one or both of these therapies may be recommended.
  4. McKenzie Method: This set of exercises is designed to alleviate pain in the long term. It aims to centralize pain and other symptoms toward the body’s center line before eliminating them, helping restore mobility.
  5. Alter G treadmill: The use of the AlterG treadmill can be incredibly beneficial for someone with arthritis. This specialized treadmill allows individuals to experience reduced weight-bearing on their joints, which is particularly helpful for arthritis patients. By unloading a portion of their body weight, the AlterG treadmill minimizes the impact on the joints, making it easier and less painful for individuals with arthritis to engage in walking or running exercises. This not only helps maintain or improve mobility but also promotes cardiovascular fitness and overall well-being, all while minimizing the strain on arthritic joints. It’s a valuable tool for managing the condition and maintaining an active lifestyle.
  6. Blood flow restriction: Blood flow restriction (BFR) technology can be a valuable aid for individuals with joint arthritis. BFR involves using specialized cuffs or bands to partially restrict blood flow to exercising muscles. For those with arthritis, this approach allows them to achieve muscle growth and strength gains with lighter resistance, reducing the stress on their affected joints. By utilizing BFR, individuals can maintain or improve muscle mass and strength while minimizing the potential discomfort and strain on arthritic joints. It’s a strategic and innovative method for enhancing physical function and quality of life for arthritis patients, as it focuses on strengthening without overburdening the affected joints.

Our approach goes beyond just managing the pain and works to address the underlying causes, providing you with more lasting relief.