Arthritis, which is joint inflammation, is a painful condition affecting nearly 40 million Americans. That means one out of every seven people has the pain, stiffness, and discomfort of arthritis. If you're among them, finding a solution to the stiffness, pain, and overall fatigue you experience becomes a top priority. For patients in Metairie, Louisiana, the team of orthopedic surgeons at Crescent City Orthopedics offers hope for managing this common, sometimes debilitating disease.
Arthritis is the name given to over 100 diseases that cause inflammation in or around the joints. Some forms of arthritis also cause damage or inflammation to the skin and internal organs. Arthritis affects people of all ages, including children, but it tends to become more common as people age.
Because arthritis is a general term given to a family of diseases, the symptoms do vary. Some common symptoms of the condition include:
Inflammation is a natural response to injury or disease. However, the actual cause of most types of arthritis is unknown.
Getting diagnosed with arthritis early on is essential because that's how you can limit the damage the disease can cause to your affected joints.
The surgeons at Crescent City Orthopedics employ the latest diagnostic technology to get to the root of the problem and discover the cause of your arthritis and pain. Diagnostic methods may include:
With the information from these tests, your doctor matches your symptoms to a particular type of arthritis to choose the right treatment options for you.
The type of arthritis you have and how far the disease has progressed determines your treatment method. Treatment options used by the staff at Crescent City Orthopedics may include:
With early diagnosis, you most likely won't need surgery for your arthritis. But if surgery is necessary, you can trust the skilled surgeons at Crescent City Orthopedics to give you the best treatment possible.
The sooner you begin protecting your joints and treating your pain, the better your overall outcome will be. If you suspect that you might have arthritis, schedule an appointment right away to start the diagnostic process.