Have you been noticing creaking, swollen, and painful joints? If so, you might be wondering if you have a form of arthritis. Many people do not realize that there are many different types of arthritis, and they are sometimes treated differently. The two most common types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Here’s what you need to know about these two conditions and how we can help.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is actually an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the cartilage of joints. This causes the cartilage to wear away slowly. Eventually, the cartilage is so worn away that there is little cushion left for the joint. This can lead to chronic pain as well as limited mobility. There are many treatments available to assist in reducing inflammation and slowing the degenerative process, but treatments that restore cartilage or stop it from deteriorating are lacking.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis that occurs due to advancing age. Osteoarthritis can be caused by a number of factors, including insufficient calcium intake, repetitive use of a joint, or simple aging. Osteoarthritis also causes cartilage to wear away, and it can also affect the joint in other ways. There are some medications available to help slow the progress and reduce inflammation, but these often come with side effects.
How We Can Help
Regardless of which of these types of arthritis you may have, we can help. Revolutionary new treatments are available with stem cells and platelet rich plasma that can help stop the degeneration of the joint and even restore some of the lost cartilage. If you are interested in learning more or you want to try these therapies for yourself, contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment.