Are your knees stiff in the morning, and are your hands so sore that it’s difficult to grip a coffee mug? If that is the case for you, chances are high that you are one of millions living with arthritis, an often debilitating joint condition that causes pain, stiffness, and inflammation in its wake.
Although arthritis cannot be cured, there are ways to manage its symptoms and feel better. You don’t have to endure this journey alone. Many doctors specialize in treating arthritis and can develop personalized plans tailored just for you. This article will shed light on the different types of arthritis doctors and how they can help you become a happier, healthier version of yourself.
Arthritis isn’t one disease; instead, it is an umbrella term that refers to conditions that cause joint pain and inflammation in multiple places around your body.
Joints, where two bones meet, provide flexibility and movement throughout the body. When arthritis strikes, it can damage the joint’s cartilage that cushions the bones’ ends, resulting in stiffness, pain, and restricted movements.
What are the different types of arthritis?
Arthritis encompasses over 100 joint diseases, each with distinct symptoms and causes, making the diagnosis and treatment of all forms crucial.
Here is an overview of some of the more prevalent varieties:
1. Osteoarthritis (OA)
« Wear and Tear Arthritis, » or OA for short, affects millions worldwide. It results from gradual wear-and-tear to cartilage, the protective cushion between bones at joints, due to repeated stress such as heavy lifting or sports activities, age-related degeneration, or prior joint injuries. OA typically affects the hands, knees, hips, and spine, causing pain, stiffness, and sometimes swelling.
2. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
RA differs from osteoarthritis by being an autoimmune condition. This means your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues, such as the synovial membrane lining of joints, which produces lubricating fluid. Over time, this leads to inflammation, pain, stiffness, and even joint deformity. RA often affects multiple joints symmetrically (on both sides of the body) and can also cause fatigue, fever, and weakness.
3. Gout
Gout is an acute form of arthritis characterized by sudden and intense attacks of pain in various joints—most often the big toe joint but potentially also ankles, knees, and elbows. Gout arises due to the buildup of uric acid crystals within joints due to elevated kidney levels, producing excessive waste products.
4. Psoriatic arthritis (PsA)
PsA is an inflammatory condition often co-existent with the chronic skin condition psoriasis. It manifests with joint inflammation and pain resembling arthritis (RA). It impacts the skin and nails. While symptoms vary greatly between individuals, mild joint issues might exist, while more serious deformities could be apparent for others.
5. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS)
AS is an inflammation condition primarily affecting the spine. Inflammation in these joints often leads to stiffness and pain in both the lower back and buttock areas upon awakening each morning. Over time, this chronic inflammation can eventually fuse vertebrae in order to limit the flexibility of movement in the spinal column.
6. Juvenile arthritis (JA)
Contrary to popular belief, arthritis can affect anyone at any age, even children. Juvenile arthritis (JA) includes various autoimmune and inflammatory conditions that affect children under 16. The most common type is juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), which causes pain, stiffness, swelling, and growth issues within the affected joints.
7. Other types
This list isn’t comprehensive. Other forms of arthritis include infectious arthritis caused by bacteria or viruses, reactive arthritis brought on by other infections elsewhere in the body, and lupus arthritis as a complication of an autoimmune disease like Lupus.
What doctor treats arthritis?
Arthritis can affect many different kinds of joints and requires an integrated treatment approach. No single doctor has all the answers; instead, teams of specialists work collaboratively to manage and treat it efficiently.
Here’s who should be involved:
● Primary care physician (PCP)
Consider your primary care physician (PCP) as your starting point. They’ll assess your initial symptoms, conduct physical exams, and potentially order X-rays to gain a better idea of your situation.
When dealing with osteoarthritis symptoms, PCPs typically handle essential management: prescribing pain medication, suggesting over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs, and possibly referring patients for physical therapy sessions to increase flexibility and strength. However, if they suspect less common forms of arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis, they will refer you to specialists for further evaluation.
● Orthopedist
If your arthritis causes severe joint damage or pain that prevents you from performing daily activities, an orthopedist becomes your go-to professional for care.
These surgical specialists focus on the musculoskeletal system and perform procedures designed to alleviate pain and improve function. For example, they might inject corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid into joint spaces to reduce inflammation or provide joint lubrication. In extreme cases, they might suggest surgery, including replacement joint procedures, to restore mobility and enhance quality of life.
● Rheumatologist
If your primary care provider suspects either rheumatoid, psoriatic, or another complex form, seeing a rheumatologist becomes crucial to your care plan. With advanced training in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal diseases, particularly autoimmune and inflammatory conditions affecting joints, these internal medicine specialists are arthritis detectives.
They perform tests such as bloodwork to find the cause before creating a treatment plan consisting of medications like disease-modifying ant rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologic therapies for long-term relief.
● Other specialists
Depending on its severity and type, additional specialists might need to be called in. Some medical centers even feature specialist-staffed spine centers aimed at managing arthritis in this part of the body.
Note: Keep in mind that managing arthritis requires a team effort from medical professionals, starting with your PCP for initial assessment and referral purposes, then specialists like rheumatologists or orthopedists for specific aspects of the condition, while others might provide their expertise depending on individual case circumstances.
Conclusion
Remember, while arthritis may present challenges in life, it doesn’t need to define it. With support and medical guidance in place, managing it effectively and living an enjoyable existence are both achievable goals.
If you’re looking for an experienced and compassionate team to partner with on your arthritis journey, consider Titan Orthopedics. Their experienced and compassionate team of arthritis doctors utilizes advanced diagnostic tools and provides various therapy options to deliver maximum pain relief, mobility improvements, and an overall sense of well-being. Titan Orthopedics now to schedule your initial appointment and take control of your arthritis!
