Stiff, achy, swollen joints can make doing everyday tasks unbearable. If you have arthritis and want symptom relief, turn to orthopedic surgeon Kent Weinheimer, MD, at Texas Orthopedic and Hand Specialist in Amarillo, Texas. He and his expert team can diagnose and treat arthritis, significantly improving your quality of life. Call the office to schedule an appointment or book one online today.
Arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the joints. The affected joints become tender and swollen. This can cause crippling pain. At Texas Orthopedic and Hand Specialist, Dr. Weinheimer specializes in conditions that affect your hands, wrists, thumbs, fingers, shoulders, and other joints.
Osteoarthritis causes age-related wear-and-tear on your joints, while rheumatoid arthritis causes your body’s immune system to attack the joint lining. Early diagnosis and treatment reduce your risk of suffering joint breakdown and pain.
Arthritis can cause several unpleasant symptoms, including:
If you have severe arthritis, doing everyday tasks will feel uncomfortable. Your joints can become deformed and twisted without the proper treatment.
Arthritis can happen to anybody, but some factors increase your risk of developing it. Examples include:
Women suffer from rheumatoid arthritis more than do men. But men are more likely to develop gout, a kind of arthritis that primarily affects the joints in the big toe.
To find out if you have arthritis and develop a treatment plan, Dr. Weinheimer reviews your symptoms and medical history. He then completes a physical exam, paying close attention to your joints. Dr. Weinheimer might then order blood tests, ultrasounds, X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to diagnose your condition and determine how severe it is.
Common arthritis treatments include:
To reduce arthritis-related symptoms, lose weight if you’re overweight, get regular exercise, and use hot or cold packs on the affected joints. Wear a brace if you need to.
Physical therapy provides you with flexibility and strength exercises to improve your joints’ strength and range of motion while preventing future tissue damage.
Taking medicines can reduce unpleasant arthritis symptoms and lower your risk of injuries.
Surgery allows your provider to remove, repair, or replace joint tissues to restore your mobility, range of motion, and overall joint function.
Don’t live with arthritis discomfort when simple treatments can relieve your pain. Call the Texas Orthopedic and Hand Specialist office to schedule an appointment or book one online today.