Arthritis is a catchall phrase for a collection of diseases that cause pain and inflammation to your joints and the surrounding tissues. The inflammation affects important structures of a joint, including the cartilage, synovium, and bones, causing stiffness, swelling, and pain. Arthritis can result from a range of causes, including age, autoimmune conditions, injuries, obesity, and even infections. It can affect any joint in your body, say knee, elbow, finger, ankle, and even wrist joints.
Treatment of arthritis will vary depending on the type you are suffering from. If you are experiencing persistent joint pain that presents other symptoms, such as stiffness and inflammation, Evergreen arthritis specialists have customized treatments to reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Arthritis can affect people of all ages, and these early signs will help nip it in the bud.
- Pain in a Joint
Joint pain that gradually becomes worse after an activity may be a sign of arthritis. The pain may be well tolerated during the day when you are busy with your activities, but it may set in at night and cause you a hectic time.
- Swelling, redness, and warmth at the joint
Swollen joints that are tender and warm to the touch could be a sign of infection or an early indicator of arthritis. The joints may hurt upon touch, and the pain may linger for a while.
- Mornings Joint Stiffness that takes time to wear off
It is normal to experience joint stiffness after prolonged sitting or when you wake up. If the joint stiffness wears off after 30 minutes when you get busy with your routines, then you have nothing to be worried about. However, if the stiffness lasts for a good part of your morning and only fades after, let’s say, noon time, this could be alarming, and you need to see your doctor soonest.
- Grinding Sensation
The grinding sound your knee makes when you move could be a sign of arthritis setting in. Mostly, this indicates that the cartilage in the joint is worn out, and the synovial fluid that causes lubrication is depleted. This sensation is common in the hips and knee joints but could be evident in other body joints.
- Pain in a joint that was previously injured
In many cases, osteoarthritis manifests in joints of body parts that had previously suffered an injury or trauma. For example, a rugby player who suffered a hip injury earlier on in their career is more likely to suffer from hip osteoarthritis later in life.
Arthritis can be painful, especially if it affects your arms and feet. These will make it difficult for you to perform normal daily tasks, and if it is left unattended, you could become dependent on most basic activities. It has no known cure. However, there are many treatment options that will help improve your quality of life by reducing the symptoms. Depending on the symptoms and condition you are in, your podiatrist or orthopedist will be able to design the best treatment for you
