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Arthritis

Greater Washington Orthopaedic Group PA Our Services Arthritis

Greater Washington Orthopaedic Group PA

Orthopaedics located in SILVER SPRING, MD, GERMANTOWN, MD, & Rockville, MD

Approximately 54 million people in the United States have arthritis, with osteoarthritis accounting for the majority of cases at 31 million. These numbers are only expected to rise as the population ages. At Greater Washington Orthopaedic Group, PA, with offices in SILVER SPRING, Rockville, and GERMANTOWN, Maryland, the team helps patients overcome the pain and stiffness that come with arthritis using innovative treatments designed to help them regain pain-free movement. To learn more about arthritis care, schedule an appointment online or by phone today.

Arthritis Q & A

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is a catchall term for more than 100 different diseases that cause pain and inflammation in your joints. The main types of arthritis are:

Osteoarthritis

This degenerative disease causes the breakdown of the cartilage inside your joints. Your cartilage plays a critical role in facilitating easy movement between the bones within your joint, so when it begins to break down, your bones rub together painfully.

Rheumatoid arthritis

This form of the disease is an autoimmune disorder in which your body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the linings inside your joints.

Psoriatic arthritis

This autoimmune disease causes your body to attack the soft tissue in your joints.

There are many other forms of arthritis, including gout, lupus, and arthritis related to trauma or old injuries.

What are the symptoms of arthritis?

No matter the type of arthritis you have, most of these diseases share common symptoms, including:

  • Pain
  • Inflammation and swelling
  • Stiffness
  • Redness around your joint

When these symptoms come together in your joints, they can have a serious impact on your ability to move freely, limiting your life in significant ways.

How is arthritis treated?

There’s no cure for arthritis, but there are many treatments that can help you better manage the symptoms, allowing you an improved quality of life. At Greater Washington Orthopaedic Group, the team prides itself on offering the most advanced weapons in the war against arthritis, including:

  • Regenerative medicine, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapies
  • Medications
  • Physical therapy
  • Massage therapy
  • Joint injections

They also work with you on lifestyle changes that can make a big impact on your arthritis, such as losing weight and becoming more active.

If your arthritis — osteoarthritis in this case — has caused considerable damage within your joint, your doctor may recommend total or partial joint replacement surgery. While the goal is to preserve your joint as long as possible, there can come a time when the damage is too extensive. And joint replacement presents an extremely effective solution.

To learn more about the arthritis treatments at Greater Washington Orthopaedic Group, schedule an appointment online or by phone today.

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