Arthritis

Many sports-related movements can wear down the protective cartilage on your joints, leading to painful and limiting arthritis. You can also develop arthritis as you age and your cartilage degrades. If you feel pain or stiffness in your joints, Benjamin Petty, MD, a double-board certified physician in Dunn, North Carolina, recommends minimally invasive therapies to restore your joints. To set up an arthritis consultation, call the office or use the online scheduler today.

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is the generic name for a collection of more than 100 joint diseases and conditions. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which occurs when the cushiony cartilage tissue that protects your joints degrades due to overuse, aging, or both. 

Athletes and others who engage in repetitive movements — especially ones that require stress or effort — are particularly susceptible to osteoarthritis.

Some other types of arthritis include:

• Gout, uric acid crystals collect in your joints, usually the big toe
• Rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system attacks your joints
• Psoriatic arthritis, inflammation from psoriasis also affects joints
• Infectious arthritis, caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi

No matter what kind of arthritis you have, your symptoms could include pain, swelling, and stiffness in your joints. 

Who’s at risk for arthritis?

Anyone who performs repetitive movements is at risk for arthritis, which is why athletes can develop it even at a young age. However, you don’t have to be an athlete to get arthritis. Jobs that require you to do the same thing over and over, such as playing a musical instrument or slinging a hammer, can also cause arthritis.

Other risk factors for arthritis include:

• Being female
• Having a family history of arthritis
• Being overweight or obese
• Smoking
• Drinking alcohol to excess
• Getting older

You can minimize your risk for arthritis by quitting smoking, limiting drinking, and adopting healthy habits such as a whole-food diet and regular exercise.

How do doctors treat arthritis?

Dr. Petty selects treatments based on the type of arthritis that you have. His therapies are minimally invasive and supportive. Based on your needs, he may recommend:

• Physical therapy, stretches and strengthens muscles, tendons, and ligaments that support the joint
• Therapeutic injections, medications are injected directly into the joint to alleviate pain and inflammation
• Viscosupplementation, injections of hyaluronic acid to lubricate your joint and facilitate movement
• Radiofrequency ablation, nonsurgical therapy for knee osteoarthritis pain
• Platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) therapy, serum made of your own blood’s healing platelets to help repair damaged cartilage and other tissues
• BMAC therapy, bone marrow aspirate to stimulate regrowth and healing of cartilage, bone, and other tissues

Don’t ignore your arthritis. Stop its progression and minimize joint damage by getting treatment today. Set up an appointment online or call Dr. Petty’s friendly staff.