Arthritis is a very common condition, but is not very well understood by most people. Most people think of it as a single disease, whereas it’s actually a word used to indicate joint pain or disease. Currently, there are more than 100 different types of arthritis conditions, and people of all ages and sexes may contract it. In America, it is the number one cause of disability, affecting more than 50 million adults and around 300,000 children. As a result, arthritis treatments in Bolingbrook, IL, or anywhere else, are commonly offered by numerous clinics. Here are a few things that you should know about treating arthritis.
Diagnosis
Before offering any sort of arthritis treatments, the doctors will want to confirm the condition. You will first be subjected to a physical exam. The doctor will focus on your joints and check for any sort of swelling, warmth, or redness. After the exam, you will have to undergo a few laboratory tests and get them checked by an arthritis specialist. Reputable clinics such as Suburban Foot & Ankle Associates can diagnose and also administer treatment if needed.
Treatment
The simplest way of treating arthritis is to use analgesics. They help reduce the pain that patients feel in their joints, but do not impact the inflammation. To combat this, you will have to resort to other arthritis treatments, such as counterirritants, DMARDs, biologic response modifiers, NSAIDs, and corticosteroids. In some situations, the patient might also require physical therapy. Studies have shown that physical therapy helps greatly in relieving the pain. If these conservative measures show no improvements, then the only option left would be surgery, such as joint repair, fusion, or replacement.
Visit http://www.suburbanfootandankle.com/ for more information.