Arthritis Questions

1. FAQ: What Is Arthritis?

   Arthritis is a broad medical term that literally means "joint inflammation." The term is used to refer to any of more than a hundred specific medical diseases that affect joints -- places where two or more bones come together in the body.
   FAQ 1 Expert Answer

2. FAQ: What Else Can Cause Osteoarthritis Symptoms?

   What else can cause osteoarthritis symptoms?
   FAQ 1 Expert Answer

3. FAQ: What Causes Osteoarthritis?

   Osteoarthritis involves damage first to a joint's cartilage, and eventually the bones themselves can be affected. This wearing down can be caused by one or more of the following:
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4. FAQ: What Are the Symptoms of Osteoarthritis?

   The symptoms of osteoarthritis include the following:
   FAQ 1 Expert Answer

5. FAQ: What Is Osteoarthritis?

   Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, is the most common underlying cause of arthritis symptoms. It's sometimes referred to as "wear-and-tear" arthritis, because the symptoms are usually the result of joint cartilage wearing down due to age or hard use.
   FAQ 1 Expert Answer

6. FAQ: How Is Osteoarthritis Diagnosed?

   Diagnosing osteoarthritis usually involves a doctor pursing the following steps:
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7. FAQ: How Is Osteoarthritis Treated?

   Treatment of osteoarthritis must be individualized. It can involve one or many of the following components:
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8. FAQ: How Can Physical Therapy Help for Arthritis in My Hands?

   Physical therapy can help restore hand function and ease pain caused by osteoarthritis.
   FAQ 1 Expert Answer

9. FAQ: How Can Physical Therapy Help for Arthritis in My Knees?

   Physical therapy can help restore knee function and ease pain caused by osteoarthritis.
   FAQ 1 Expert Answer

10. FAQ: How Can Physical Therapy Help for Arthritis in My Back?

    Physical therapy helps restore function and ease pain caused by osteoarthritis affecting the back.
    FAQ 1 Expert Answer

11. FAQ: What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

    Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that usually affects the lining of certain joints, especially those in the hands. The related inflammation often causes pain and swelling and, if left untreated, can result in permanent damage to the joints and in eventual disability.
    FAQ 1 Expert Answer, 2 Community Answers

12. FAQ: What Are the Stages of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

    The stages of rheumatoid arthritis -- sometimes called RA -- are defined by the 2008 recommendations of the American College of Rheumatology as the following:
    FAQ 1 Expert Answer

13. What could cause severe shoulder pain that goes into the fingers?

    Your mother sounds like she has a problem called radiculopathy. This is caused by a nerve that is being compressed somewhere in her body. If the pain starts in her shoulder, and goes all the way down to her hands, then I would think that her neck or her shoulder could be her problem...
    1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

14. What is low level laser therapy?

    Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a treatment option that uses lasers to alter the body's cells, which will hopefully decrease pain. There is still research being done to see how effective it is on certain joint problems like Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), or arthritis.
    1 Expert Answer, 2 Community Answers

15. Can physical therapy help arthritis pain?

    Yes! Yes! Yes! There is a lot that physical therapists can do to help alleviate and prevent exacerbation of pain from arthritis. In fact, as a geriatric physical therapist, this is one of the most common diagnoses that we see. I would highly recommend that your mother seek the advice of a physical therapist who specializes in geriatrics...
    1 Expert Answer, 3 Community Answers

16. What drug options do I have for arthritis?

    Unfortunately, you have developed chronic pain from your trio of arthritis syndromes. Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) frequently causes pain and stiffness in the shoulders and hips. This syndrome will often improve with the use of prednisone alone, so this is probably not what is causing alot of your pain at this point...
    1 Expert Answer, 4 Community Answers

17. What could severe back pain signify?

    Hi:
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18. How can pain be managed for a 90 year old woman?

    In my experience, pain can be managed for anyone at any age, if the right modalities are used. I read your letter several times, and I understand that you are concerned about narcotic usage because you are worried about constipation and dizziness in a 90 year old woman...
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19. What is the best way to gauge how much exercise is too much?

    The general rule is that people need to pace themselves and limit their exercise based on their ability to do it. So if your mother is exercising and having chest pain, that's definitely too much. But as long as she's exercising with frequent resting so she's not exhausted, short of breath, or having angina symptoms, it's probably okay...
    1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

20. Is there an arthritis medication that won't cause a skin rash?

    Usually when people say they have arthritis they are referring to the most common type of arthritis: osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease. Methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine are never used for osteoarthritis however, so I will assume you have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis or another similar autoimmune joint disease...
    1 Expert Answer, 3 Community Answers