Arthritis

What is Degenerative Arthritis?

Degenerative arthritis, otherwise known as degenerative joint disease (DJD) or osteoarthritis (OA), comes from the wearing away of cartilage within joints. Part of this occurs as a natural progression of wear and tear. In some patients, cartilage seems to be genetically-designed to wear out more quickly than in the rest of the population. As the cartilage wears away, the ends of the bones become exposed and inflammation arises in the joint. It is this inflammation that causes swelling, redness, and pain. At The ReNova Hand Center, osteoarthritis is treated with behavioral modification, therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications. When these are insufficient, an intervention may be advised using a minimally invasive approach whenever possible.

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Although a much less common form of arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) still causes cartilaginous tissues to decompose more rapidly than they would in an unafflicted person. Instead of mere wear and tear, as in osteoarthritis, in rheumatoid arthritis this is due to a problem of synovial proliferation and inflammation. The linings of the joints and tendon sheaths grow too much, and cartilage wears away. What the patient often notices is joint instability and disfigurement; occasionally, tendons rupture. As pharmaceutical treatments (medications) have changed over the years, the need for corrective surgery has decreased. However, for those patients who have lost function in their hands, or dislike the disfigurement resulting from the loss of joint stability, surgical intervention such as joint fusion, joint replacement, or tendon transfer reconstruction may be performed.

Arthritis Relief at RENOVA

Arthritis can often be treated through joint arthroscopy, with minimally-invasive measures taken whenever possible. The doctors at Renova use techniques to provide support to the joints which can greatly reduce the pain caused by arthritis.Don’t let arthritis take control of your life. Call to make an appointment with a hand care physician and learn about your treatment options.