Arthritis

Ross Medical Group

Family Medicine, Sports Medicine & Physical Therapy in Miami, FL

About one in four adults in the United States suffer from arthritis, one of the most common causes of chronic pain. At Ross Medical Group in Miami, primary care sports medicine physician David A. Ross, MD, and the team of osteopathic and physical therapy doctors offer comprehensive care for arthritis. If pain and stiffness from arthritis limit your daily activities, call or book an appointment online today.

Arthritis Q & A

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is a condition that involves inflammation in one or more of your joints. This inflammation may cause arthritis symptoms such as joint pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. You can have arthritis in one joint or many at the same time.

There are over 100 types of arthritis, but the most common include:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. This condition occurs when the slippery cartilage that covers the ends of your bones becomes worn down and damaged. Over time, this damage may lead to bone grinding against bone.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder that causes your immune system to attack the tissue that lines your joint capsule, known as the synovial membrane. Eventually, RA can cause damage to the cartilage and bone.

Who gets arthritis?

The risk of developing the two most common types of arthritis increases with age. But other types of the disease, such as juvenile arthritis, can develop in children as well. You may be at increased risk of developing arthritis if you have one or more of the following risk factors.

A family history of arthritis
Previous joint injury
Obesity

Playing a sport or having a job that requires repetitive motions in a joint, such as bending and squatting, may also increase your risk of arthritis.

How is arthritis diagnosed and treated?

To diagnose arthritis, Dr. Ross carefully reviews your symptoms and medical history. He performs a physical exam and checks for signs of arthritis, such as swelling and reduced range of motion in your joints.

He may also take on-site tests, such as:

Blood tests
Joint aspirations
X-rays

A joint aspiration involves taking a small sample of fluid from inside your joint. This helps Dr. Ross diagnose your specific arthritis condition.

Then, he develops a treatment plan to relieve your symptoms and improve joint function. Depending on your needs, arthritis treatment may include:

In-house physical therapy at Ross Medical Group
Lifestyle changes such as exercise and weight loss
Pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medications

He may also recommend therapeutic injections, such as corticosteroids or platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

To find relief from arthritis, call Ross Medical Group or book an appointment online today.