Arthritis

"Arthritis" literally means joint inflammation. Joints are places where two bones meet, such as your elbow or knee or hip. 

There are many different types of arthritis with different causes and treatments. In some types, other organs, such as your eyes, heart, or skin, can also be affected. 

However, by far the most common type of arthritis is “Osteoarthritis”.  

Common symptoms of this type of arthritis include pain, redness, heat, stiffness, aching  and swelling in your joints.   

For lower body arthritis, often, daily issues may occur with pain on walking, standing, climbing stairs, kneeling, squatting of any type.  Sitting for periods of time as well as upon awakening, the joints will be stiff and sore.  Upper body arthritis will manifest in tightness, inability to push, pull, grasp,  carry, dress, perform minor daily activities  or lift without discomfort or, at times, severe pain. 

What Causes Osteoarthritis Or Degenerative Joint Disease? 

Here is the background: Your joints are covered or surrounded by an air-tight capsule that looks somewhat like a hollowed out peeled orange or grapefruit.  Under normal circumstances, special cells line the capsule that produce a thick, oily like substance called “SYNOVIAL FLUID”.  This fluid allows for friction free motion, reduces the pressure put on the joint and neutralizes inflammatory chemicals created during typical daily use. 

HERE IS THE PROBLEM:  As we age, these cells that produce the Synovial Fluid began to age, under-function or actually die off and the level of the protective Synovial fluid will diminish over time.  As this occurs, friction increases leading to rubbing and grinding which eats away at and degenerates the protective “Teflon—like’ cartilage protecting the surface of the bones in your joints. 

Then… slowly over time, the space becomes more and more narrow as this grinding persists.   

This may go on for years slowly damaging the joint without you feeling any symptoms.  However, eventually you will begin, in most cases, to get stiffness, soreness, progressive pain and narrowing of the joint space.  Neglected long enough and the result may become the dreaded “BONE-ON-BONE”. 

Does Arthritis Heal Itself Or Get Worse Over Time?  

The bad news:  There is no total “cure” for arthritis.  But neglecting the issue may lead to accelerated decay often resulting in progressive pain and in the worst cases… need for surgical intervention. 

The Good News:  Medical Science and the doctors at NYC Pain MD now have many programs to not only help you feel and move better but to possibly contain the arthritis from progressing….  so you do NOT end up in surgery or with a joint replacement. 

So…If you have arthritis, it is important for your doctor to diagnose the type of arthritis you have and get the proper treatment.  

Fortunately, current treatments allow most people with arthritis to lead active and productive lives. 

Types of Arthritis 

There are several types of arthritis. Common ones include the following.