Whether you have osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or one of the many other forms of arthritis, you probably need professional medical help in controlling your joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. After all, you can only take so much over-the-counter medicine without potentially causing damage to your liver and other key organs.
Because an orthopedic doctor specializes in the musculoskeletal system, this physician is the right kind of specialist to treat your arthritis pain successfully. Let’s talk about how you can mitigate your arthritis pain, and where you can go in Plantation to see an orthopedic physician who can diagnose and treat your arthritis efficiently and effectively – so you can get back to enjoying your active life.
How Can Arthritis Pain Be Treated?
Common sites for arthritis include the:
- Spine
- Knees
- Hips
- Feet
- Ankles
- Shoulders
- Hands
- Wrists
The best strategies for daily and long-term control of a wide range of arthritis symptoms include the following:
Stay Active
This means exercise to your tolerance levels (swimming and walking are best) and your preferences. Meanwhile, as you move around, avoid heavy lifting, maintain good posture, and limit repetitive motions which wear down the joints. Ask your doctor and physical therapist for ways to move in a healthier way and to avoid further injury.
Aim for a Healthy Body Weight
In particular, the hips and knees are prone to wear-and-tear arthritis (osteoarthritis) because they carry a majority of your body weight. This is why obesity creates arthritic changes even in young people. Ask your orthopedic physician for ways to exercise and lose weight while minimizing pressure on your arthritic joints.
Eat Nutritious Meals and Stay Hydrated
Good food and lots of water: It sounds simple, and it is. Aim for consuming more fiber, less sugar, and less fat, and drink plenty of water daily – enough so that you don’t feel thirsty. These dietary habits support healthy joint structure and help to prevent long-term tissue damage and joint pain.
Stop Smoking
Cigarettes are linked to rheumatoid arthritis and pain in the lumbar (low-back) region of the spine, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Additionally, smoking stiffens the body’s connective tissues, such as ligaments and tendons, thereby increasing pain and limiting range of motion.
Take Supplements
Vitamins and supplements that can help tackle arthritis pain include glucosamine, chondroitin, calcium, vitamin D, and fish oil. Consult with your orthopedic doctor to evaluate the benefits of various supplements for your body.
Have Physical Therapy
Physical therapists are experts in strengthening the muscles, improving overall physical health, and applying nonsurgical methods of pain management. Massage therapy, heat and cold therapy, bracing, exercising, and stretching are just some of the strategies a physical therapist employs to reduce arthritis pain and maintain joint health.
Ask Your Orthopedic Doctor About Injection Therapy
Orthopedic doctors often administer steroid injections to reduce arthritis pain and swelling. Also, PRP therapy – which consists of injecting a high concentration of your own blood platelets – harnesses the body’s natural healing powers for easier and more comfortable movement of your joint.
Consider Orthopedic Surgery
For patients who have advanced arthritis, this may be the best option – particularly when conservative (nonsurgical) measures do not improve your joint pain and joint function. Fortunately, today’s joint surgeries are less invasive, have shorter recovery times, and often produce better results than ever before with traditional open surgery.
Arthritis Pain Treatment in Plantation, FL
Arthritis pain does not have to dominate you anymore. If you are looking for outstanding orthopedic care and arthritis pain treatment, Baylis & Brown Orthopedics is here for you in Plantation.
We offer musculoskeletal surgery, physical therapy, orthotics, imaging services, and more right on-site. Our medical team is led by board-certified surgeons Dr. Robert Baylis and Dr. Christopher Brown, and we will work tirelessly to help you stay ahead of arthritis pain and joint damage.
To schedule a consultation, call us today at (954) 476-8800, or fill out our online request form now. We look forward to serving you!
