Arthritis and Other Joint Conditions

Most arthritis pain results from years of accumulated wear and tear on joints and tends to occur in the elderly in hips, knees, and finger joints. Other risk factors are obesity, a history of trauma, and various genetic and metabolic diseases. Although arthritis is mainly a disease of adults, children also may have it. It also affects women nearly three times as often as men.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and often the most destructive. It's a degenerative joint disease, gradually wearing away the cartilage surrounding the joint, that occurs equally in men and women and often appears in athletes who have had many joint injuries in their past. Contributing factors include age, genetics, and excess weight, lack of exercise, and injury or trauma.

The hands, hips, knees, neck, and lower back are often affected by this condition, and, in most cases, just one joint is affected (as opposed to rheumatoid arthritis, where both sides of the joint are affected). However, spinal osteoarthritis is the most common type, presenting symptoms that include debilitating neck and low-back pain, accompanied by tingling and numbness in the arms or legs.

Regardless of the cause, osteoarthritis conditions are often chronic and require good diagnosis and proper posture, daily exercise, and anti-inflammatory medications as part of a good treatment plan. Surgery to repair or replace joints is often necessary in severe cases

Osteomyelitis is an acute or chronic bone infection. It most commonly occurs after open fractures or after closed injuries have been treated surgically; patients usually have a history of prolonged debilitation and multiple surgical procedures.

The orthopaedic specialists at MedStar Health will use a combined approach of surgical, reconstructive, and therapeutic techniques to treat osteomyelitis. Through a combination of specialists and state-of-the-art techniques, the chance of cure from chronic osteomyelitis, with good return of limb function, is significantly increased.

Osteonecrosis, also called avascular necrosis, is a type of arthritic bone disorder that causes decreased blood supply to the affected area. This decreased circulation causes cells in the bone and bone marrow to die, which may cause bones to collapse. When bones are fractured or dislocated, they can block or damage arteries in the area, leading to osteonecrosis. Symptoms include:

Osteonecrosis usually occurs in large joints such as the ankles, knees, hips, and shoulders. It's more prevalent in people between the ages of 30 and 50, and most commonly affects the hip. Osteonecrosis of the knee occurs more often in women between ages 50 and 60. People with certain fractures of the hip; alcoholics; those taking certain steroids; and individuals with sickle cell anemia, lupus, or pancreatic conditions are at a higher risk of developing osteonecrosis.

Diagnosis is very important in its earliest stages so MedStar Health specialists can provide the best individual treatment plan. Surgery may be recommended when patients have lost function in their joint or have unmanageable pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic disease affecting 2.1 million Americans, is an inflammation of the lining (synovium) of the joints that can lead to long-term damage and disability. The inflammation puts pressure on the surrounding tissues, which can produce chemicals that can ruin the joint surface. This, in turn, can cause deformities. Connective tissues that support internal organs are also susceptible to this form of arthritis.

Although rheumatoid arthritis can be a serious disease, many treatment options help reduce its severity and longevity in every individual. We work to assist patients in leading lives with more mobility, activity, and tolerance.

Learn more about rheumatoid arthritis treatments, as well as MedStar Health’s rheumatology experts who are specially trained and equipped to diagnose and treat diseases of the joints, muscles, and bones.

MedStar Health is a pioneering force in the field of arthritis. We know a proper diagnosis is the first step in helping patients live without arthritis pain. That is why we take a multidisciplinary team approach to every patient right from the start.

To accurately diagnose arthritis, a physician will take a complete medical history, complete a physical examination that evaluates any symptoms, take X-rays to determine joint damage, and possibly perform other laboratory and blood tests to determine the exact type of arthritis and its severity.

Arthritis pain may stop people from moving, walking, climbing stairs, bathing, working, or playing. It can interfere with thinking and concentration, or even with being close to other people. When arthritis pain interferes with sleep, mood, or appetite, it can affect all parts of your life, especially when it lasts a long time. Pain that won't go away can change the way you feel about yourself and others.

To get treatment that will alleviate your pain, it is important that your physician understands precisely what you are feeling. But, because only the person with pain knows what it is like, describing the pain is the key to understanding pain. Describing pain is not easy, however, so we’ve put together this guide to help you—so you can get the relief you need.

One of the best ways to measure pain and pain relief is to use a rating scale. Rating pain using a scale makes your pain easier for others to understand.

Don't be afraid to talk about your pain—describing how pain limits your life will help your doctor or nurse set goals with you for dealing with your pain. Each time you see your doctor tell them:

Family members and friends can help if you're not able to write your own pain assessment. Bring a family member or friend along for doctor's visits. Let them help you tell others about your pain and pain relief.

Living with arthritis pain can be difficult. The specialists at MedStar Health want to help. Here are a few things you can try on your own to help through the pain:

A wide variety of treatments are available for arthritis pain, and your team at MedStar Health will customize the treatment plan that best suits your symptoms and situation.

Treatment plans often include:

It's important to remember that arthritis doesn't mean an inactive lifestyle. Inactivity can weaken and stiffen the muscles surrounding the joints and impair your joints permanently.

When certain treatments fail, an orthopedic surgeon will perform surgery to help reduce the arthritis pain. Surgery may be used to realign joints or to remove the joint lining which has become damaged or pulled out of place due to the wearing away of cartilage and bone.

In joint replacement, also called arthroplasty, the physician replaces the joint with metal or plastic parts. Joint replacement has been especially effective with hips and knees and has also been used for shoulders, ankles, elbows, and knuckles.

The Arthritis Program offers rehabilitation services for individuals who have had:

Medical care is directed by physicians who are board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation, orthopaedic surgery, internal medicine, and rheumatology. Depending on the patient's needs and goals, our rehabilitation team members may also include specialists in occupational therapy, orthotics and prosthetics, hydrotherapy, pain management, physical therapy, psychology, rehabilitation engineering, rehabilitation nursing, social work, therapeutic recreation and vocational rehabilitation.