Arthritis is a painful, degenerative disease that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 20% of U.S. adults or 54.4 million U.S. adults have some form of, and the numbers of growing. Siatta B. Dunbar, DO, CAQSM, in Burnsville, Minnesota, can help you manage your arthritis symptoms so you can live a full life. Book an appointment by giving us a call today.

Arthritis is the swelling or inflammation of one or more joints. Although there are many forms of arthritis, the most common ones are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis affects cartilage and is the most common form of arthritis. Cartilage covers the ends of bones at the location of joints. Osteoarthritis can cause the breakdown of any joint, but it typically occurs in knees, shoulders, the lower back, the neck, hips, small joints of the fingers, and at the base of the big toe and thumb.

As osteoarthritis progresses, moving the joint becomes increasingly difficult and painful. You may also develop growths called spurs, or cartilage may break off and float around in the joint.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that — unlike osteoarthritis — affects the lining of your joints. It can also damage your skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels. Dr. Dunbar can evaluate this type of arthritis, but she recommends management and treatment by a rheumatologist.

There is no cure for osteoarthritis. However, there’s a variety of treatments designed to control pain and inflammation and improve joint mobility. Dr. Dunbar may opt to combine treatments to find the best way to help you cope with your symptoms.

Treatments can include:

Analgesics medications to reduce pain Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications to reduce both pain and inflammation Creams, gels, and ointments for pain relief Physical therapy or exercises to strengthen muscles and improve mobility Ultrasound-guided injections

Ultrasound-guided injection is a process for delivering a medication by using ultrasound technology to more accurately target the injection site and enhance the results of treatment.

Medications such as cortisone, hyaluronic acid injections (viscosupplements) or an emerging treatment called PRP — or platelet-rich plasma — have used this technology for arthritis treatment. Without ultrasound guidance, or with traditional “blind” injections, physicians pick the injection site by feeling and making the best decision for the optimal injection site.

If you’re suffering from osteoarthritis and want to find ways to better manage your pain, make an appointment with Dr. Dunbar at her practice in Burnsville, Minnesota. Book an appointment by giving us a call today.

Author Dr. Siatta Dunbar

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