MAY IS NATIONAL ARTHRITIS AWARENESS MONTH
Each year, May is recognized as National Arthritis Awareness Month. Arthritis is a disease that impacts more than 50 million Americans, which makes it the number one cause of disability in the country.
What does this mean? This means that 1 in every 5 adults, 300,000 children and countless families are affected by arthritis.
The team at Cape Fear Orthopedics will explain the facts behind this debilitating disease and some of the ways to treat it.
ARTHRITIS FACTS
According to the Arthritis Foundation, nearly 53 million adults have doctor-diagnosed arthritis; that number is expected to grow to 67 million by 2030. There are more than 100 different forms of this crippling disease and people with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis –two major kinds of arthritis – miss a combined 172 million workdays every year.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Other names for it are degenerative joint disease or “wear and tear” arthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs most frequently in the hands, hips, shoulders, and knees. It is when the cartilage within a joint begins to break down and the underlying bone begins to change. These changes begin slowly and typically get worse over time.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
There are many forms of inflammatory arthritis; signs that are typical for most include:
- Pain or aching during or after movement.
- Stiffness, most noticeable upon awaking or after being inactive.
- Decreased range of motion or flexibility.
- Tenderness when light pressure is applied to or near the joint.
- Swelling – could be a result of inflammation.
- Loss of flexibility – joint struggles to move through full range of motion.
- Grating sensation – popping or crackling when you use the joint.
TREATMENT
Although a cure doesn’t exist for arthritis, there are many ways of treating and managing the symptoms.
Here are a few suggestions and tips to consider:
- Maintain a healthy weight to protect your joints from excess stress
- Exercise to strengthen your body and decrease inflammation
- Natural supplements can address symptoms and improve overall well-being
- Pain relievers & anti-inflammatory medication can help ease pain
- Surgery, such as partial to total joint replacement, can restore and repair damaged joints
OTHER TREATMENT
At Cape Fear Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, our team of musculoskeletal experts understands the widespread impact that joint pain can have on your life. To restore mobility and get back to pain-free movement, we can help with one of our many injection therapies. Injections can help by blocking the pain or even healing the damaged tissue.
INJECTIONS FOR BLOCKING PAIN
Joint injections are a non-invasive treatment option where medication is injected directly into the damaged or injured joint.This can reduce inflammation, improve range of motion, and provide pain relief.
This solution can give long lasting joint pain relief, allowing you the time to figure out the underlying cause of the problem.
OUR TEAM
At Cape Fear Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, we understand that joint pain can make simple, everyday activities challenging.
At Cape Fear Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, our specialty-trained doctors are recognized experts in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions and injuries. When you are seen by one of our experts, you know that you are being treated by an experienced doctor who is focused and dedicated to providing you exceptional orthopedic care.
Our experts understand that proper diagnosis is paramount in determining the most effective treatment plan for your individual condition. For a consultation with one of our providers, call us at (910) 484-2171.
