Inflammatory arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that affects the joints, causing pain, swelling, tightness, and limited mobility. Autoimmune disorders are the result of a defect in the immune system, where the body mistakenly identifies its own tissue as foreign agents and issues an immune response (white blood cells), attacking itself in the process.
Inflammatory Arthritis Treatment in Los Angeles
The most common forms of arthritis resulting from an autoimmune response are:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Gouty arthritis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
Inflammatory arthritis treatment in Los Angeles involves visiting an osteoarthritis doctor to receive an accurate and complete diagnosis, followed by recommendation for treatment and pain management depending on the severity of each individual patient’s condition.
The most common form of arthritis, known as osteoarthritis, is not believed to result from inflammation. The most common symptoms of inflammation usually include:
- Redness
- Joint swelling
- Joint pain
- Joint stiffness
- Loss of joint function
- Fever
- Chills
- Fatigue/loss of energy
- Headaches
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle stiffness
The early symptoms of inflammation can often be mistaken for a common cold or flu. A full medical evaluation is necessary to determine the extent of joint inflammation and damage. A medical specialist will take a complete medical history and perform a full physical exam, as well as diagnostic blood tests, x-rays, and MRIs, to fully evaluate a patient’s condition.
Inflammatory arthritis treatment depends on several factors, including the following: severity of the condition, the patient’s age, medical history, and overall health and fitness levels. Treatment can be conservative (medication, physical therapy, and rest) or may require immediate treatment in order to prevent the arthritis from becoming any worse (in most cases, this includes surgery).
Next, learn more about arthritis treatment in Beverly Hills.
