Arthritis Types, Symptoms & Treatments with Dr. Tyler Bron

Welcome to a Medical Minute segment with Dr. Tyler Bron, one of four fellowship-trained Orthopaedic physicians at Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group. The video below will cover what arthritis is and discuss the different arthritis types, symptoms & treatments available at CSOG.

Arthritis Types: Osteoarthritis vs. Rheumatoid Arthritis

Arthritis comes in several different forms including Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage, that lies between and protects the bones, to break down. Once this cartilage wears down, the bones become exposed to each other causing them to then rub against each other. This rubbing can cause inflammation and send pain signals to the brain. This is contrasted with Rheumatoid arthritis, which is caused by your body’s own immune system degrading the cartilage.

Who does Arthritis affect?

Arthritis can affect those of any gender or age, however, is most commonly seen when people get older. Arthritis, specifically Rheumatoid Arthritis, has a strong genetic component. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is known as “wear and tear arthritis” where previous joint injuries, overuse injuries, or obesity can be the primary cause.

Arthritis Symptoms

The most common symptoms of arthritis include an ache or dull pain that is constant and gets worse throughout the day depending on how active you are. As it progresses, the pain becomes more debilitating. Occasionally, arthritis progresses to the point where individuals are not able to live their desired active lifestyle. We recommend seeing an orthopedic specialist prior to this point.

Arthritis Treatment Options

There are non-surgical treatment options to treat arthritis. At Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group, our physicians believe that in most cases, non-surgical treatment is the best place to start. Non-surgical interventions include weight loss, activity modification, avoiding high-impact sports activities, physical therapy, and the prescription of anti-inflammatory medications. Depending on the severity of your case, your physician may suggest a steroid injection that acts as an anti-inflammatory treatment. Once a patient has tried the above non-surgical options without experiencing long-lasting relief, then surgery may be a recommended option.

Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group’s board-certified and fellowship-trained joint physicians can put together a custom-tailored program for both diagnosis and treatment.