The pain, fatigue, and other symptoms of arthritis can be a heavy weight to carry, but the right medical care can improve your symptoms and overall quality of life. At Coleman Primary Care in Sterling, Virginia, skilled internal medicine physician Linda Coleman, MD, and her friendly team offer valuable solutions for arthritis. They treat a number of arthritic disorders, including inflammatory autoimmune disorders and age- and injury-related conditions. To learn more, schedule an appointment online or by phone today.
Arthritis is an umbrella term for numerous medical conditions that involve inflammation in one or more of your joints.
Arthritis symptoms include:
Over time, arthritis can lead to a joint deformity in the affected area.
A multitude of factors can cause or exacerbate arthritis, such as:
In addition, certain risk factors for arthritis might be hereditary and beyond your control, such as:
Lifestyle factors like physical activity level and nutrition might also play a role in the development of an arthritic condition.
The many different types of arthritis range from mild to serious, and include:
Osteoarthritis involves gradual damage and wear and tear to the cartilage in your joints.
An infection or injury can trigger or worsen osteoarthritis. Severe osteoarthritis can cause bone to grind directly on bone. This is especially painful and limits joint mobility.
Rheumatoid arthritis involves your immune system. When your body’s own immune system attacks the lining of your joint capsules (the synovial membrane), your joints get swollen and inflamed and the disease process can destroy bone and cartilage over time.
There are a number of inflammatory arthritic conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Some of these conditions might be associated with genetics, bacteria, and environmental factors.
Inflammatory arthritic conditions like ankylosing spondylitis can be painful and cause your immune system to attack itself, leading to systemic inflammation that can affect your joints, muscles, and certain other organ systems like your eyes.
To treat your arthritis, Dr. Coleman might recommend:
Coleman Primary Care has an in-office pharmacy and a range of diagnostic testing and treatment methods.
Your provider might also offer bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) when necessary to balance your hormones and protect your bone health. They might additionally suggest vitamin B12 injections to help remove toxins from your body and improve your general health, for example.
Dr. Coleman and her team at Coleman Primary Care help you decide the best way to manage your arthritis and relieve your pain. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today to get started.
