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Arthritis

Updated: Jan 17, 2023

What is Arthritis?


Arthritis is the swelling and tenderness of one or more joints. The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis causes cartilage; the hard, slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones where they form a joint, to break down. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which the immune system attacks the joints, beginning with the lining of joints.


What Are Some Symptoms of Arthritis?

The symptoms of arthritis depend on the type , most commonly the symptoms involve:

  • Pain in the hands

  • Stiffness

  • Swelling

  • Redness

  • Decreased range of motion


Causes of Arthritis:

Osteoarthritis: This is the most common type of arthritis, which involves wear-and-tear damage to a joint's cartilage, which is the hard, slick coating on the ends of bones where they form a joint. 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.

Rheumatoid arthritis: In rheumatoid arthritis, the body's immune system attacks 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.


Some Risk Factors Include:

  • Old age

  • Previous joint injuries

  • Genetics

  • Obesity


Diagnosis:

Common ways healthcare providers diagnosis arthritis is through a series of tests that may involve :

  • An x-ray

  • Ultrasound

  • CT scan

  • MRI


Treatments:

Common treatments for arthritis include:

  • Physical therapy- this can improve your range of motion and help strengthen the muscles surrounding the joints

  • Surgery- if more light treatments are not working, surgery may be needed for either joint repair, joint fusion, or joint replacement

  • Medication

  • acupuncture - reduces many types of pain





Clinica Medica Familiar is a family practice offering primary care services for the entire family including; OB/GYN, Pediatrics, and Geriatrics. We specialize in Chronic diseases and that is offering Covid vaccines in our three locations: Magnolia, Mead Valley, and Montclair. Please call us at 855-505-7467 to schedule you today or visit our website https://www.clinicamedicafamiliardrrios.com/booking-calendar


Clinica Medica Familiar is NOW offering Telemedicine (Telehealth/video call) and Flu Shots. Please call us at 855-505-7467 to learn more about these amazing services and bilingual providers, we are now providing services throughout Corona, Montclair, Riverside, Perris, Moreno Valley, Lake Elsinore, Temecula, and Indio.


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