Arthritis Treatment: Your Options

Arthritis treatment is one of the best options you have for getting long term relief from this painful condition. Arthritis refers to a joint disorder accompanied by inflammation. The causes maybe related to an overactive immune system or wear and tear of the cartilage. Usually, arthritis affects people within the age group of 20 and 50, but can even affect infants. The average onset age is about 47. The first and most important step towards effective treatment is consulting a good doctor, as the condition requires accurate diagnosis. With over 100 different types of arthritis, it becomes all the more necessary that your condition be accurately diagnosed.

Texas Arthritis Treatment: Various Types of Arthritis

In Texas, various arthritis treatments offer effective procedures for a number of arthritic conditions. Here are some of the common types of arthritis.

* Rheumatoid Arthritis: This is the most common inflammatory type of arthritis. It affects about one percent of the total population and is the auto-immune form of arthritis. It is characterized by the inflammation of the synovial linings of the joint. At the onset, it affects the smaller joints, such as the wrists, hands, feet and ankles. As the condition progresses, larger joints also get affected.

* Osteoarthritis: This type of arthritis is often associated with old age. Mainly, the weight bearing areas, such as the hips, spine, knees, feet and the base of the thumbs, are affected by osteoarthritis. It is characterized by the loss of new bone formation, articulating cartilage and development of bony spurs.

Apart from these, other types of arthritis include psoriatic arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, gout, pseudo gout and reactive arthritis.

Texas Arthritis Treatment: Treatment Procedures

There are a number of effective treatment procedures:

* NSAIDS: Non Steroids Anti Inflammatory Drugs help patients with arthritis get relief from swelling, stiffness, inflammation and pain of the joints.

* Joint Replacement: This involves a surgical procedure and is recommended for people whose joints have been severely damaged by the condition. The damaged joint is taken out through surgery and a replacement part is put in its place. On recovery, patients can resume about 75 percent mobility. Joint replacement is quite an effective form of treatment for arthritis.

* Other Surgical Procedures: Apart from joint replacement, surgeries can be carried out to repair damaged tendons. Surgical procedures may also involve the removal of the joint cavity or the removal of the bone. In some cases, the pain in the joint is because of nerves becoming trapped, which can be corrected through surgical procedures.