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The following article was published in Your Health Magazine. Our mission is to empower people to live healthier.
Ada C. Ezeani, MS, OTR/L, Owner
Arthritis: Symptoms, Causes and Management
ACE Therapeutix
. https://acetherapeutix.com/

Arthritis: Symptoms, Causes and Management

It is that time of year again. It’s cold outside and you are starting to feel aching pain and stiffness in your joints. As we get older, it is almost inevitable that we will experience this feeling. That feeling that you are possibly experiencing is called arthritis. Arthritis is most commonly seen in older adults over the age of 65, however it can also develop in children, teens and younger adults. Most patients reported that their symptoms developed over time, however others complained of the symptoms appearing suddenly.

The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease is the type of arthritis that comes from normal wear and tear, obesity, injury to joints or heredity. Examples of normal wear and tear can be seen in those who have an occupation that requires repetitive motion such as a construction worker that may be lifting and bending everyday for many years. If someone is obese, it is very common to get OA in the hips, knees or spine. Regular exercise can help prevent the progression of OA in these joints. Former athletes who have had injuries or fractures near a joint are more prone to develop OA in those joints. Common symptoms of OA is pain in the joints, stiffness, swelling or crackling or clicking when joints bend.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder. This occurs when your body’s immune system attacks the tissues of the body. It may result from a variety of factors such as genetics, compromised immune system or environmental factors, however it is unknown what exactly triggers this. RA symptoms include swelling, stiffness and loss of physical function in areas such as your shoulders, knees, feet and wrist. Over time this could lead to joint deformity.

Management for both types of arthritis include medication, physical therapy, occupational therapy and surgery. Certain medications reduce pain, some reduce inflammation and others reduce the immune response. Physical therapy works to help improve range of motion, and strengthen joints that have been weakened by inflammation or damage. Physical therapy exercises can help reduce joint stiffness and pain which help you to be more mobile. Occupational therapy will help maximize their ability to perform activities of daily living. The occupational therapist may custom fit the client for splints or braces that can ease painful joints and help prevent deformity. Lastly, surgery can offer benefits such as pain relief, which is the most important. Surgery should occur when the above therapies have not lessened the pain. Surgery will replace and stabilize the joint. Living with pain from arthritis can be a challenging task. Find the best strategies that work for you to relieve this pain and improve your quality of life.

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