Arthritis literally means inflammation of joints. For those affected it means painful and stiff joints. These symptoms can limit mobility and ability to participate in normal activities. The actual problem at the tissue level is damage to and loss of the articular cartilage that covers the joint surfaces.
When this cartilage damage progresses enough patients notice loss of motion, swelling, and pain in the affected joint. While many causes exist for arthritis the most common are related to wear and tear, previous trauma, or diseases like rhuematoid arthritis, or gout.
Early treatment is based on the severity of symptoms. These treatments can include oral medicines or injectable medicines. Lifestyle changes like weight loss or changing sports activites may be recommended. Physical therapy and braces may be of benefit in some circumstances.
When nonsurgical care fails to adequately relieve pain and disability joint replacement surgery can be considered.
If you need joint replacement surgery you can feel confident Dr. Savage can offer you some of the latest innovations to help restore your mobility and reduce or eliminate your pain. These include direct anterior approach hip replacement and computer assisted navigation for hip and knee replacement procedures.
