Arthritis

Arthritis affects 23% of all adults living in the United States. One in four people experiences continual severe joint pain, and an astounding 24 million people cannot participate in activities they love. At Houston Pain Services in Houston, Texas, board-certified interventional pain management specialist Adrian C. Dumitru, MD, and the team can help those with arthritis manage the pain and enjoy a better quality of life. Book an appointment today through the website or over the phone.

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is a collective term for over 100 different inflammatory diseases that affect one or more joints. Arthritis tends to occur in adults over the age of 65 but can also develop in younger adults, teenagers, and children. Two of the most common types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. 

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis affects over 27 million people. It’s caused by the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of bones wearing down through age, joint injury, or obesity.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects around 1.5 million Americans. It occurs when the immune system attacks the cells inside a joint capsule.

The team at Houston Pain Services has training on how to identify the different types of arthritis and manage every aspect of the disease.

What are the symptoms of arthritis?

Arthritis symptoms are unpredictable. They either take years to build up or appear from nowhere. Depending on the type of arthritis you have, your symptoms may include:

• Pain
• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Redness
• Decreased range of motion

The team at Houston Pain Services creates a treatment plan to help manage your symptoms, so you can get on with enjoying life.

How do you diagnose arthritis?

When a doctor diagnoses arthritis, they conduct a physical exam on the joints to check for a limited range of motion, fluid, warmth, or redness. Other conditions, like bone spurs, can produce arthritis-like symptoms, so they may also refer you for an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan for a closer look at your bones and cartilage.

Further blood tests check for inflammation levels and antibodies in your blood and joint fluids, which help determine what type of arthritis you have. This makes it easier for specialists like to prescribe an appropriate course of pain management care.

Dr. Dumitru and the team at Houston Pain Services work with specialties like neurology, neurosurgery, and general surgery, to provide the most comprehensive treatment plan to their patients.

How do you treat arthritis?

Arthritis treatment focuses on managing symptoms and preventing arthritis from getting worse. Your treatment plan may include:

• Pain medication
• Lifestyle changes
• Complementary and holistic medicines

With careful ongoing care and pain management, the team at Houston Pain Services can greatly improve arthritis pain and discomfort. Make an appointment today by calling the office or using the online booking tool.