More than 50 million adults and 300,000 children in the United States are affected by arthritis. Though the term is used broadly, over 100 distinct conditions fall under this umbrella — all sharing joint inflammation that causes pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion.
At Metro Pain Centers, specialists focus on identifying the precise cause of joint inflammation to develop effective, individualized treatment plans.
What's to Blame for Your Arthritis Pain
Joint pain is often associated with aging, but many types of inflammation can occur at any age.
Osteoarthritis
This form results from wear and tear on joints. Cartilage covering the bones breaks down over time, causing friction, stiffness, and pain.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
An autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the joint lining, triggering inflammation, pain, and swelling — distinct from the wear-and-tear mechanism of osteoarthritis.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Also autoimmune in nature, this type frequently affects the skin as well, producing rashes, swelling, and joint redness, particularly in the hands.
Arthritis symptoms can also arise secondarily from conditions such as fibromyalgia, lupus, Lyme disease, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Finding Effective Relief
Because arthritis encompasses so many conditions, a personalized approach is essential. Evaluation typically includes a comprehensive physical exam, range-of-motion assessment, and joint inspection, potentially supplemented by blood work, joint fluid analysis, or imaging such as ultrasound, MRI, or X-rays.
Once a diagnosis is reached, a customized plan may incorporate:
- Pain-relieving or anti-inflammatory medications
- Immune-suppressing medications
- Counterirritant creams or ointments
- Physical therapy, splints, or braces
Interventional options are also available, ranging from epidural and trigger point injections to nerve blocks and spinal cord stimulators.