Arthritis Q & A

What are the different types of arthritis?

There are more than 100 types of arthritis. Many have their own characteristic symptoms, but they all cause joint inflammation.

These are the most common types of arthritis:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is caused by years of daily wear-and-tear on your joints. It begins by damaging the articular cartilage that lets bones glide smoothly within the joint. As the cartilage increasingly breaks down, bone rubs against bone, causing pain, stiffness, and limited movement. Over time, inflammation and bone spurs develop, adding to your pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which your immune system attacks synovial tissues that line the joint. As the tissues become inflamed and swollen, you develop the classic symptoms of pain and stiffness. Ongoing inflammation also gradually erodes bones, causing deformities.

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs in the same joint on both sides of your body and can spread beyond the joints, causing inflammation and problems in other areas like your skin, eyes, nerves, and organs. By comparison, osteoarthritis stays within the joint and affects only one side of your body.

What is post-traumatic arthritis?

Post-traumatic arthritis develops after you sustain a joint injury. Many cases heal on their own within a few months, but if the problem persists for six months, it becomes chronic post-traumatic arthritis. About 12% of all cases of osteoarthritis occur following a joint injury.
How is arthritis treated?

Standard medical therapy for arthritis includes medication and cortisone injections to relieve and mask the pain. The regenerative approach available at SoCal Regenerative Medical Clinics incorporates cutting-edge technology that promotes healing of damaged cartilage, improves function, and decreases pain.

Innovative arthritis treatments available at SoCal Regenerative include:

Ozone treatment

Ozone, a concentrated form of oxygen, can be injected into your arthritic joint, where it inhibits inflammation, reduces oxidative stress, promotes healing, and alleviates your pain.
IV therapy

Intravenous delivery of nutrients and antioxidants allows you to receive an optimal dose of the substances your body needs to produce energy and heal your arthritic joint.

Your doctor may also recommend viscosupplementation to restore the hyaluronic acid needed to lubricate and cushion the affected joint. Although hyaluronic acid is normally found in joints, it breaks down in people with osteoarthritis. Viscosupplementation helps to restore function and make it easier to move your joint.

Staying as active as possible reduces joint inflammation, cuts down on pain, and improves your ability to move the joint. However, it’s also important to know when to rest so you don’t cause further joint damage. The team at SoCal Regenerative Medical Clinics works with you to develop a safe and beneficial exercise plan.

Many other arthritis treatments, including manual therapy and ultrasound therapy, are provided by the team at SoCal Regenerative Medical Clinics.

To find relief from the pain and stiffness of arthritis, call SoCal Regenerative Medical Clinics or book an appointment online.