Arthritis & Treatment
Arthritis is inflammation of one or more of your joints. The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age. The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is usually caused by normal wear and tear, while rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder. Other types of arthritis can be caused by uric acid crystals, infections or even an underlying disease, such as psoriasis or lupus.
Treatments vary depending on the type of arthritis. The main goals of arthritis treatments are to improve the quality of life.
Tests
Xray usually is sufficient
- Ct scan, ultrasound, MRI(arthrogram) rarely required.
- Arthroscopy rarely will be advised by your doctor if you have a cartilaginous lesions.
What you can do
Because appointments can be brief, plan ahead and write a list that includes:
- Detailed descriptions of your symptoms
- Information about medical problems you’ve had in the past
- Information about the medical problems of your parents or siblings
- All the medications and dietary supplements you take
- Questions you want to ask the doctor
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor may ask some of the following questions:
- When did your symptoms start?
- Does activity make the pain better or worse?
- Is the pain in just one joint or many?
- Do you have a family history of joint pain
