Arthritis

The physicians and staff at Metro Orthopedics & Sports Therapy (M.O.S.T) in Potomac, Maryland can help you manage arthritis symptoms like pain and limited mobility with various treatments, including physical therapy and regenerative medicine. If arthritis keeps you from activities you love, call or book an appointment online today for comprehensive and effective treatment. “M.O.S.T” serves the communities of Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Olney, Washington DC, Chevy Chase, Frederick, Poolesville, McLean, VA, Dulles, VA, and Fairfax, VA.

Arthritis Q & A

Arthritis is the collective term for over 100 different conditions that cause joint pain. These conditions can affect any joint but are most commonly diagnosed in your knees, hips, back, wrists, and fingers.

The degenerative form of arthritis, called osteoarthritis, is the most common one. But there are multiple other forms, including inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, and metabolic arthritis like gout. Infectious arthritis occurs when a virus, fungus, or bacteria enters your joint.

Osteoarthritis, the most common form of the disease, develops when the cartilage that covers and protects the ends of your bones in a joint wears away.

Without their slippery protection, the ends of your bones grind together with every movement causing inflammation and pain. The factors that increase your risk for developing osteoarthritis include a family history of arthritis, getting older, being overweight, and having any previous joint injuries.

Other forms of arthritis have different causes. Rheumatoid arthritis, for example, develops when your immune system attacks the synovial membrane that lines your joints, causing inflammation and swelling of the joints. This condition eventually causes degeneration of the cartilage and bone in your affected joint.

The doctors at Metro Orthopedics & Sports Therapy offer customized care to reduce your pain and manage your arthritic joints. Treatment is typically multipronged, combining treatments to maximize effectiveness.

Treatment may include medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, or analgesics. These medications reduce your discomfort, helping you to maintain mobility and conduct routine activities.

Physical therapy can help build strength and flexibility around your arthritic joint. The additional strength provides support which reduces your discomfort. Also, regular exercise helps keep your joints supple and robust, which reduces your arthritis symptoms.

Regenerative treatments like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections can also reduce pain, improve your joint function, and slow or stop damage to your cartilage. PRP injections use your blood to create a serum that’s rich in platelets and growth factors which is injected directly into your joint to promote healing and cell growth.

If arthritis is getting in the way of your life and keeping you from activities you love, call or make an appointment online today.