One-stop shop for arthritis treatment
If arthritis pain is getting in the way of your everyday life, it can be a relief to know that treatment is available. An orthopedic specialist can help you evaluate the cause of your arthritis, discuss your treatment options, and provide you with complete orthopedic care under one roof.
Arthritis, or cartilage degeneration, is inflammation in the joints. It is one of the most common causes of disability in America, according to the Arthritis Foundation —more than 50 million people in the U.S. suffer from some kind of arthritis.
There are many different types of arthritis pain, but the most common kinds are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Arthritis is typically caused by aging, genetics, occupation, and activity level. No matter your lifestyle or age, it is important to remember your arthritis pain can be treated.
Symptoms of arthritis may include:
- Joint pain
- Stiffness
- Decreased range of motion
- Swelling
- Redness or tenderness
How is arthritis diagnosed?
Your doctor will typically diagnose arthritis using imaging scans such as X-rays, or in some cases, an MRI. On your first visit with an orthopedic expert, you will likely have X-rays done to help your doctor see your bones and cartilage. These images can also be helpful in the future to see whether the arthritis has progressed.
How do I know what type of arthritis treatment is right for me?
Your orthopedic expert should discuss treatment options with you based on your needs and the severity of your condition. The best doctors will personalize your treatment plan by taking an extensive history of the degeneration of your affected joints, evaluating your symptoms, completing a thorough physical examination, and reviewing your imaging scans.
Treatment options can range from noninvasive pain management such as oral and topical medications, bracing, joint injections and physical therapy, to surgical intervention. Again, treatment for your arthritis is tailored specifically to you as an individual and is personalized for your lifestyle.
What type of services does Midwest Orthopedic Consultants offer for arthritis?
Our orthopedic specialists offer convenient access to all of the essential orthopedic services under one roof. The single-site convenience offered by MOC also eliminates the need for outside referrals for additional tests and treatments. Once you arrive, everything for your arthritis treatment can be handled in-house by MOC.
Our orthopedic experts have decades of experience successfully performing:
- MRIs
- X-rays
- Ultrasound-guided cortisone injections
- Ultrasound-guided gel injections
- Physical therapy
- Full joint replacement surgery
Non invasive arthritis treatment options
The goal of arthritis treatment is to relieve your pain and improve your range of motion, restoring your quality of life. Noninvasive arthritis treatments are available if you have mild to moderate arthritis and want to avoid surgery.
Joint injections (either cortisone shots or gel injections) are a common, noninvasive way to offer pain relief that can last a few days to a few months. Many people resume most of their daily activities and can delay surgery this way.
Physical therapy is likely to be recommended in any treatment plan for arthritis. Your doctor will work with you to come up with the best exercises and therapies to ease your symptoms.
Joint replacement for arthritis
When other nonsurgical orthopedic treatments have been exhausted, you may start to wonder whether surgical joint replacement is right for you. A fellowship-trained surgeon can help you determine the type of arthritis surgery that is best for your specific type of arthritis. There are many different factors that go into deciding whether full joint replacement will get you back to living your fullest life. It is important to consider all of your options before making a decision.