Arthritis Specialist

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is a group of diseases affecting your joints. It can cause such serious joint problems that it may lead to long-term disability if not managed properly. Arthritis affects 1 in 3 Americans ages 18 and 64. The most common forms of arthritis include:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis affects your cartilage, the slick, hard material that coats the bones to allow your joints to move smoothly. Wear-and-tear causes cartilage breakdown, which can cause painful bone-on-bone friction when you move.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which your body attacks the lining of your joints. This causes severe swelling and often leads to bone changes and joint deformity over time. 

Psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis may appear in patients with psoriasis, a skin condition causing patches of red skin with white-silver scales. With psoriatic arthritis, you might experience severe joint swelling, often in your extremities. It often occurs in flare-ups, followed by periods with no symptoms. 

There are more than 100 kinds of arthritis, so if you're having joint problems it's important to come in to CPI Physicians as soon as possible for diagnosis and care.

How is arthritis diagnosed?

An arthritis diagnosis starts with a physical exam at CPI Physicians. Your doctor checks your joints to detect lingering fluid, swelling, soreness, and range-of-motion problems.

To determine the exact type of arthritis and rule out other problems, your doctor may perform blood tests to look for specific antibodies. You may also need diagnostic imaging such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans.

How can I manage arthritis pain?

Your CPI Physicians specialist tailors your arthritis treatment based on the type of arthritis you have and how it manifests in your body. Often, a combination treatment approach including medication and lifestyle changes is effective. 

Arthritis medication can include analgesics for pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), immunosuppressants for inflammation, and corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and immune response. 

In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, your doctor may prescribe disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and biologic response modifiers to reduce and control immune system response. 

Physical therapy may also help you regain lost mobility and strength. In cases where nonsurgical care doesn’t help with advanced arthritis, your doctor may recommend surgery like joint replacement or repair. 

CPI Physicians can help you live in comfort when you’re dealing with arthritis. Book an appointment by calling the office or using the online scheduler now.