Arthritis is one of the most common causes of chronic pain, affecting 53 million American adults.
If you’ve been diagnosed with arthritis, you may wonder if there’s anything you can do to reverse the damage to your joints. Here at Expert Pain in Houston, Texas, Ioannis Skaribas, MD, DABA, FASA, wants you to know your arthritis prognosis depends on the type you have and how early you’ve been diagnosed.
Arthritis itself is not really reversible, but there are effective ways to manage the condition, reduce pain, and improve your quality of life. Read on to learn more.
Arthritis is not a single condition; there are more than 100 types of arthritis. The most common forms of arthritis we see here at Expert Pain are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis, also referred to as “wear-and-tear” arthritis, results from the breakdown of cartilage — the tissue that cushions the ends of bones. Over time, the joint becomes stiff and painful.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints, causing painful inflammation and damage.
In most cases, arthritis is not reversible. Once the damage to the joints has occurred, particularly when it comes to osteoarthritis, it can’t be undone.
But, this doesn’t mean that arthritis will inevitably get worse or that you have to live with constant pain. There are ways to slow the progression of the disease and manage your symptoms effectively.
While cartilage loss in osteoarthritis is generally irreversible, early intervention can help slow its progression and prevent further damage. Treatment strategies focus on:
We may also recommend advanced therapies to help reduce pain and restore function.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive autoimmune condition, but early treatment can help manage the disease and prevent severe joint damage. Once you have rheumatoid arthritis, it can’t be reversed. But many patients achieve long periods of remission with proper care.
Treatment options include:
Many people with rheumatoid arthritis live healthy, active lives.
While full reversal of arthritis isn’t possible, early diagnosis and treatment can make a significant difference in how the disease progresses. By taking action early, you can prevent further damage to your joints and improve your quality of life.
We here at Expert Pain recommend the following steps to keep your arthritis pain at bay:
If you have an autoimmune form of arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis, managing stress is also important. Practicing relaxation techniques, such as meditation or yoga, can help you manage both stress and pain.
Our pain management specialists can help you to develop a personalized arthritis treatment plan. We offer a range of nonsurgical treatments that can help you manage arthritis pain, reduce inflammation, and maintain mobility.
Some of our more advanced treatments include:
This regenerative treatment uses your body’s own healing factors to promote tissue repair and reduce inflammation in arthritic joints.
Amniotic injections contain a mix of lipids, multipotent cells, hyaluronic acid, and cytokines, all of which support tissue growth and repair. When we administer them to arthritic joints, they help promote new tissue formation, reduce pain, and decrease inflammation.
While arthritis may not be fully reversible, it doesn’t have to control your life. With the right treatment and lifestyle changes, you can manage your symptoms, slow the progression of the disease, and maintain your quality of life.
Talk to our expert team to find out how we can help you maintain a good quality of life with arthritis. Contact Expert Pain today to schedule a consultation. Together, we can develop a plan to help you stay active and live pain-free.
