Arthritis Treatment Q & A What is arthritis?

Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions affect over 22% of American adults, which is more than 52 million people. If arthritis is impairing your quality of life, schedule an appointment today with Bart Rask, MD, at Hillsboro Orthopedic Group. Dr. Rask offers exceptional arthritis treatment from his state-of-the-art clinic in Hillsboro, Oregon. You can book your visit by calling the office and speaking with one of the friendly team members.

Arthritis is a condition that leaves one or more of your joints inflamed. Generally speaking, arthritis is rooted in a problem with the cartilage in your joints. Your cartilage is a connective tissue that absorbs shock and pressure in your joints. It’s both firm and flexible, which provides excellent cushioning when you move your joints or put stress on them.

If your cartilage breaks down, the bones in your joints are left to rub directly against one another. This causes inflammation, which leads to arthritis.

There are more than 100 types of arthritis, and each of them affects your joints differently.

Osteoarthritis happens when the cartilage in your joints naturally erodes. This can happen over many years due to daily use and general wear-and-tear, or it can develop as the result of a more acute condition, like an injury to your joint or an infection. 

Rheumatoid arthritis happens because of an autoimmune disorder that leaves your synovial membrane impaired. Your synovial membrane is a soft tissue in your joints that keeps your joints lubricated. The improper functioning of your synovial membrane leaves your joints inflamed and can harm the bone and cartilage.

If you have arthritis, you might notice some of the following symptoms: 

• Pain in your joints
• Tenderness
• Stiffness
• Decreased range of motion
• Swelling

For many, arthritic symptoms are worse when first waking up in the morning.

Some conditions that increase your risk of developing arthritis include: 

• Being overweight
• Family history of arthritis
• Working in a physically demanding job
• Joint injuries
• Being older

Sex differences can make you more likely to develop certain types of arthritis, too. Women, for example, develop rheumatoid arthritis more often than men do, while men more commonly develop gout. 

Dr. Rask provides exceptional arthritis treatments at Hillsboro Orthopedic Group. to help patients find relief from their symptoms.

One of his treatment methods, viscosupplementation, involves injecting your arthritic joint with hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring lubricant that breaks down in people suffering from osteoarthritis, so reintroducing it into your joint can help restore its proper functioning and alleviate your pain.

For more advanced cases of arthritis, Dr. Rask also provides surgical treatments. To learn more about your options for arthritis treatments, schedule a visit with Hillsboro Orthopedic Group. today by calling the office