Arthritis

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is a group of chronic conditions that cause inflammation, stiffness, and pain in your joints, including the spine, shoulders, elbows, and knees. While arthritis can affect people of any age, the condition becomes more common as you age.

There are more than 100 types of arthritis. The two most common types that affect men and women include:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis develops when the cartilage that protects the ends of your bones breaks down and wears away. The loss of cartilage allows the joints to rub together, which creates friction that leads to swelling, pain, and loss of joint mobility.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that causes your immune system to mistakenly attack otherwise healthy joints. The attack destroys the structure of the joint and increases risk factors for chronic pain and joint deformities.

Fusion Primary Care and Wellness offers comprehensive care for adults with arthritis. The team designs a management plan to treat your pain and other arthritis symptoms. They also provide strategies you can use to prevent arthritis from worsening.

When should I schedule an arthritis consultation?

Schedule an arthritis consultation at Fusion Primary Care and Wellness if you have persistent joint issues that you can’t manage with over-the-counter medications. These symptoms can include:

• Joint pain
• Redness
• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Loss of joint flexibility
• Limited joint range of motion

The physicians complete an assessment of your joint function and may order blood work, X-rays, and other diagnostic imaging tests to determine the type of arthritis you have. They customize a care plan to reduce your symptoms and restore function in the affected joint.

How is arthritis treated?

Fusion Primary Care and Wellness provides a range of treatments to manage arthritis in the long term.

The physicians may initially recommend lifestyle changes to support your joint health. These changes may include medically supervised weight loss to take pressure off painful joints and daily exercises to keep your joints flexible.

Other available arthritis treatments include:

• Medications
• Corticosteroid injections
• Hyaluronic acid injections
• Assistive devices

The team provides medication management services to monitor your use of anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medications. They can also refer you to a skilled physical therapist to restore your joint mobility and prevent arthritis-related joint deformities.

Call Fusion Primary Care and Wellness today to schedule an arthritis consultation. You can also use the online feature to request an appointment.