Nearly 40 million Americans have arthritis, and roughly half find their arthritis so severe it interferes with life. Early treatment can slow down the disease’s progression and joint deterioration, so it’s important to schedule an appointment with the doctors at Boerne Family Medicine as soon as you begin to have joint pain or inflammation. Whether you call the office in Boerne, Texas, or make an Appointment online, please don’t wait to benefit from our experience and comprehensive arthritis care.
"Dr. Stahl and his staff are excellent healthcare providers. I have had many primary physicians and moved on because of problems with their office personnel or nursing. Dr. Stahl has surrounded himself with staff that are attentive to the patient from the moment we come to the front desk."
Arthritis Q & A
What is arthritis?
Arthritis refers to more than 100 different conditions that are all slightly different but share two qualities: they’re all inflammatory, and they affect joints. The diverse types also share a common symptom: pain.
What are the two most common forms of arthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, followed by rheumatoid arthritis:
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative arthritis, develops over time from daily wear-and-tear that slowly breaks down cartilage. Cartilage serves to cushion and protect the ends of bones. As it disappears, bones inside the joint rub against each other every time you move, causing pain, bone spurs, loss of motion, and inflammation.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis begins with inflammation and swelling in the tissues around the joint. It’s an autoimmune disorder that goes through cycles, causing flare-ups followed by periods of remission.
The swelling eventually causes bone erosion and joint deformity. The inflammation from rheumatoid arthritis can spread through your body, damaging many systems, including your skin, eyes, lungs, and blood vessels.
What are the signs of arthritis?
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis both cause pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility, but they have distinguishing signs:
Osteoarthritis:
- Pain increases during activities
- Sensation of grinding in affected joints
- Morning stiffness that lasts less than 20-30 minutes
Rheumatoid arthritis:
- Swelling of three or more joints
- Swelling of the same joints on both sides of your body
- Morning stiffness that lasts at least an hour
How is arthritis treated?
It’s important to see your doctor at Boerne Family Medicine at the first signs of arthritis, so you can get treatment to prevent or slow down progressive joint deterioration.
Treatment for both types of arthritis includes physical activity. Even though it’s hard to stay active when your joints are stiff and painful, gentle exercise balanced with rest maintains joint mobility and relieves pain.
Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications may provide some relief for osteoarthritis symptoms; otherwise, you only routinely use medications for rheumatoid arthritis.
Medications for rheumatoid arthritis help slow down the disease’s progression, keep it in remission, and prevent ongoing joint damage. These medications are called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologic response modifiers, which is a newer class of DMARDs.
Please call Boerne Family Medicine or make an appointment online so we can help you find relief from arthritis symptoms and create a plan to keep you active.
