According to the Arthritis Foundation, arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States, affecting more than 50 million adults and 300 thousand children. Hetal Gandhi, MD, and the staff at Synergy Medical in Livonia, Michigan, are ready to help you cope with your arthritis. Book your appointment online or call today.
Arthritis refers to a group of more than 100 diseases and related illnesses associated with the inflammation of one or more of your joints.
This progressively debilitating illness affects both men and women of all ages and races. However, women tend to get most forms of arthritis at a higher rate than men. Arthritis also seems to run in families. The likelihood of getting arthritis increases with age.
Although there are many different types of arthritis, there are two main ones: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
The most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis causes damage to joint cartilage through wear and tear over time. As the cartilage wears away, bone painfully grinds directly on bone, which restricts the joint’s movement.
Your body’s immune system plays a role in this form of arthritis, as it attacks the lining of the joint capsule, making the capsule swell and become inflamed. Over time, the cartilage and bone within the joint are destroyed.
Each person experiences different arthritis symptoms depending on the type of arthritis and how severe it is. Common symptoms include:
There’s no foolproof way to prevent arthritis; however, you can reduce your risk of certain forms by:
Dr. Gandhi develops a treatment plan with you and adjusts the plan over time as your arthritis symptoms change. The main goals in treating arthritis are to manage pain, prevent or lessen damage to the joints, and to improve mobility by reducing inflammation. For many patients, a combination of treatments may be used, including medications and physical therapy or exercise.
Dr. Gandhi is ready to work with you to create a personalized plan to not only manage your pain, but also keep you active and enjoying life. Call or book your appointment online.
