Arthritis treatment in Castle Rock

Arthritis is a common condition that causes pain, inflammation, and stiffness in the joints. It can affect any joint in the body, but the most commonly affected areas include the knees, hips, shoulders, and spine. Arthritis can significantly impact mobility and quality of life, making early diagnosis and effective management essential.

Knee arthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis, often resulting from wear and tear (osteoarthritis) or autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms include:

• Pain and swelling in the knee joint

• Stiffness, especially in the morning or after inactivity

• Decreased range of motion

• Difficulty walking or climbing stairs

Hip arthritis commonly presents as:

• Deep aching pain in the groin or outer thigh

• Stiffness that limits hip movement

• Pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest

• Difficulty standing from a seated position

Arthritis in the shoulder can affect both the ball-and-socket joint (glenohumeral joint) and the acromioclavicular (AC) joint. Symptoms include:

• Persistent shoulder pain, especially during movement

• Reduced range of motion

• Weakness in the arm and shoulder

• Grinding or clicking sensations with movement

Spinal arthritis often affects the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) spine, leading to:

• Chronic back or neck pain

• Stiffness and reduced flexibility

• Nerve pain, tingling, or numbness due to nerve compression

• Difficulty bending or twisting the spine

Several factors contribute to the development of arthritis, including:

• Age: Risk increases with age due to natural joint degeneration.

• Genetics: Family history may predispose individuals to arthritis.

• Obesity: Excess weight places stress on weight-bearing joints like the knees and hips.

• Previous Injuries: Joint injuries increase the risk of developing arthritis later in life.

• Inflammatory Conditions: Autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, contribute to joint inflammation.

Dr. Carrera and his team use a combination of assessments to diagnose arthritis, including:

• Medical History and Physical Exam: Identifying pain patterns, joint stiffness, and range of motion limitations.

• Imaging Tests: X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans to assess joint damage and cartilage loss.

• Laboratory Tests: Blood tests to detect inflammatory markers associated with autoimmune arthritis.

Dr. Carrera offers a variety of evidence-based treatments to manage arthritis pain and improve joint function:

• Physical Therapy & Lifestyle Modifications:

  • Strengthening exercises and stretching to improve joint stability and flexibility.

  • Low-impact activities such as swimming and cycling to reduce joint stress.

  • Weight management to reduce joint strain.

  • Ergonomic adjustments, including supportive chairs, braces, or orthotics.

  • Anti-inflammatory diet rich in fish, nuts, and leafy greens.

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain and inflammation relief.

• Corticosteroid joint injections for targeted pain relief.

• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: Utilizes growth factors from the patient's blood to promote healing and reduce inflammation.

• Viscosupplementation: Hyaluronic acid injections to improve joint lubrication in knee arthritis.

• Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): Minimally invasive treatment to disrupt pain signals in spinal and knee arthritis.

If conservative management fails, joint replacement surgery can significantly improve arthritic pain of the shoulder, hip, or knee.