Arthritis Diagnosis & Treatment
Arthritis affects the vast majority of adults. When everyday tasks, such as getting in and out of a car, become increasingly difficult, or when walking is painful instead of enjoyable, some people become reluctant to go out and enjoy life. Arthritis Diagnosis & Treatment
Decreasing activities and not participating in social activities that you’d enjoy before is not the answer. The proper response for those who are suffering from joint and bone conditions causing pain and decreased mobility should be to take action and treat pain & stiffness. Arthritis of joints and spine commonly causes pain and inflammation which in turn may decrease joint mobility. Our physiotherapists use a comprehensive approach to the treatment of pain related to arthritis. The goal of Physiomobility’s arthritis treatment program is to increase mobility, strength, endurance and to slow the progress of joint deterioration while assisting our patients to return to their activities safely.
Helping you to function independently and enjoy your life is our passion. Our treatment programs do not stop treating your pain. We go beyond and take a dynamic and active approach to assist our patients with muscle and joint pain conditions including Arthritis. We work closely with your doctor(s) to make sure to provide the best possible care.
Arthritis is a common condition that causes pain and inflammation in joints. There are several different types of arthritis, which can be categorized into two broad groups, including:
- Osteoarthritis-This is the most common type of arthritis that occurs mostly in individuals who are in their late 40s or older. It affects the cartilage lining in the joint, thereby causing pain and stiffness.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis- This type of arthritis occurs when the body’s immune system targets joints, leading to pain and inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis affects women more commonly than men.
Both of these types of arthritis are progressive in nature, which means that without proper management, the condition may worsen, affecting the quality of life of the patient. Early detection, pain management, and physiotherapy remain the mainstay of arthritis management. By using joint-specific strengthening exercises and providing recommendations for self-management and assistive devices and lifestyle changes, physiotherapists help patients cope with the symptoms of arthritis and improve their mobility and independence.
Is Arthritis the same condition as Osteoarthritis?
Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that affects one or more joints. Arthritic conditions are part of a broader group of conditions of the muscles and bones, known as musculoskeletal conditions. Some of the most commonly occurring musculoskeletal conditions are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoporosis. Arthritis Diagnosis & Treatment
While Osteoarthritis is generally associated with wear and tear of joints and the cartilage lining the joint, Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune condition.
The most common symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis include:
- Painful joints that usually worsen with repetitive use
- Swelling of the affected joints
- Creaking, pain and stiffness that restrict movement
- Weakened muscles surrounding the affected joints
- Joint deformity
Depending upon the severity of your pain or inflammation, and the degree of your functional disabilities, your treatment can involve: Physiotherapy, Acupuncture, Massage Therapy, Chiropractic, and Active Rehabilitation. Our goal is for our patients to achieve maximum mobility and independence.
What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disorder with a progressive and chronic nature that affects joints, tendons, and ligaments. It is an autoimmune disorder and occurs when the immune system starts attacking the patient’s own connective tissues. It affects the lining if the joints, causing inflammation, swelling and painful and resulting in the loss of mobility, muscle weakness, tendon and ligamentous rupture and deformity of joints and the erosion of bones. The inflammation in the joints also affects surrounding tissues.
The main symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include:
- Swollen, warm and tender joints
- Constant pain
- Stiffness in the joints which is worse after periods of inactivity and in the mornings
- Weight loss, fever, and fatigue
Common joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis are fingers, wrist, elbows, ankles, and shoulders. It can also affect hips, knees and spinal joints. Over time, rheumatoid arthritis can cause the joints to shift out of place or deform. Luckily, the advancements in pharmaceutical resulted in the early management of RA reducing the number of patients suffering from severe deformities.
The role of a physiotherapist in rheumatoid arthritis is very important. Physiotherapists maintain mobility by teaching patients exercises that will keep the affected joints flexible. In addition, improving function and return to daily activities and return to work.
How is Arthritis Treated?
Arthritis treatments commonly include manual therapy, massage, and other pain treatment methods. Sometimes acupuncture & dry needling is used to manage pain and inflammation and to speed up the return to activity. No matter what type of passive treatment is used to make you more comfortable, the main portion of treatment is exercise therapy designed to your level of function when you start your treatment and progressed as you improve. The goal is to teach you how to independently continue these exercises and how to manage your pain. Your treatment will probably start with an assessment and treatment by one of our Physiotherapists and exercise therapists and other practitioners such as acupuncturist and massage therapist may join in to make your recovery success.
How Does Physiotherapy Help In Arthritis Diagnosis & Treatment
Whether you have been diagnosed with Osteoporosis, had a fall, or have concerns about your balance, taking a proactive step toward prevention or treatment is absolutely the right action to take. With our physiotherapy program focused on walking program and exercises focused on lightweight strengthening and activating postural muscles, we take a collaborative approach to helping you manage your osteoporosis and prevent falls and fractures.
