Arthritis

About one in four Americans have arthritis, among the most common causes of pain, stiffness, and other frustrating symptoms in adults. At Atlantic Spine and Joint Pain Center LLC, foremost board-certified interventional pain medicine physician Edward Alexeev, MD, focuses on relieving arthritis symptoms using the least-invasive methods. Your personalized treatment plan allows you to quickly return to an active, healthy, pain-free life. Call the Manalapan, New Jersey, office today or book an appointment online for diagnosis and treatment of stubborn joint pain.

What is the most painful type of arthritis?

Arthritis includes well over 100 forms, and all can cause joint pain. Some of the most painful and most common types of arthritis are:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis happens when cartilage (the slick, rubbery material covering the bones) degrades over time to expose bones and cause joint pain. It often affects large joints like the hips and knees and is usually the result of wear-and-tear over several decades of life. Fractures or joint dislocations increase the risk of osteoarthritis (called post-traumatic arthritis).

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory autoimmune disease. It happens when the immune system becomes deranged, attacking the tissue around the joints (the synovium). This causes inflammation, swelling, and pain. It usually happens in the smaller joints like the fingers and wrists and evenly attacks both sides of the body.

Gout

Gout develops when uric acid crystals collect inside a joint. It usually affects one joint, most commonly the bottom joint of the big toe. Gout causes symptoms like swelling, redness, and stiffness, and its pain is often severe and sudden.

You can also develop painful arthritis in other parts of the body. For example, facet joint arthritis affects the small spinal joints connecting your vertebrae.

When does arthritis need treatment?

If you’re experiencing joint problems like pain, soreness, swelling, and stiffness, arthritis is changing your quality of life for the worse, and you need treatment.

Early arthritis treatment is vital. Most types of arthritis can cause irreversible bone changes when left untreated. Early treatment eases pain, helps preserve joint function, and prevents severe complications like disability.

What are the best pain management techniques for arthritis?

At Atlantic Spine and Joint Pain Center LLC, your care focuses on relieving your pain, preventing further joint damage, and stimulating your body’s natural healing abilities. To reach these goals, various treatments are often combined. Some common pain management approaches include:

• Bracing
• Physical medicine and rehabilitation
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Disease-modifying medication (for rheumatoid arthritis)
• Steroid injections
• Restorative medicine, like platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
• Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
• Spinal cord stimulation (SCS)

Dr. Alexeev believes that a combination of approaches often works best for patients with arthritis, so he’ll also recommend supportive care like physical therapy, acupuncture, or chiropractic.

Call Atlantic Spine and Joint Pain Center LLC today or book an appointment online to arrange arthritis treatment.