Here’s How Arthritis Affects Your Joints

If you have arthritis symptoms, you’re not alone. An estimated 50 million Americans are living with arthritis, including children. 

At Pacific Pain and Regenerative Medicine, Dr. Hasan Badday understands the impact arthritis has on your joints and your quality of life. That’s why he offers the most effective solutions to manage arthritis and joint pain at his two convenient locations in Los Angeles and Irvine, California.

Arthritis and your joints

Arthritis describes approximately 200 joint issues associated with inflammation, but the most common form is osteoarthritis. This condition impacts more than 30 million Americans and is typically due to wear and tear on your joints. 

You have several different kinds of joints in your body. These areas where two bones come together serve specific purposes. Some joints allow for movement throughout your skeleton. Others prevent your bones from moving too much — or at all.

Each of your joints has a layer of tissue known as cartilage that cushions your bones and supports smooth movement. When you have arthritis, it causes this hard, slippery tissue to deteriorate. As you lose cartilage, a variety of arthritis symptoms develop, such as:

• Pain 
• Stiffness or swelling 
• Redness or heat
• Deformity 
• Limited or full loss of movement

Over time, arthritis pain can become debilitating and affect your quality of life.

Protecting your joint health

Unfortunately, you can’t always prevent arthritis completely. But, you can take steps to lessen your risks of developing joint pain as you age. These steps include:

• Following a healthy diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids
• Controlling your weight to reduce unnecessary strain on your joints
• Exercising regularly to strengthen the muscles stabilizing your joints
• Avoiding injuries or repetitive motions that can cause cartilage damage
• Using proper lifting techniques and workplace ergonomics to prevent joint stress

If you notice arthritis symptoms starting, it’s essential to seek medical attention from an expert like Dr. Badday immediately. They can help control any existing inflammation to prevent additional cartilage damage in the area.

Arthritis treatments 

Dr. Badday offers a wide range of arthritis treatments designed to relieve your symptoms and improve function within your joint. In some cases, he recommends a combination of therapies to provide the best results.

Common methods to control arthritis include:

• Medication management
• Physical therapy, splinting, or bracing
• Injections therapies, like steroids or nerve blocks
• Stem cell and regenerative medicine techniques

For severe joint damage that doesn’t respond to more conservative treatments, Dr. Badday might recommend surgical procedures like joint repair, replacement, or fusion.

To learn more about how arthritis affects your joints, call us at Pacific Pain and Regenerative Medicine to set up your appointment. You can also send us a message here on our website.