Arthritis Specialist
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Pinnacle Orthopaedics
Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine Specialists located in McMinnville, TN
Are you suffering from joint pain anywhere in your body? If so, you could have arthritis. At Pinnacle Orthopaedics, with offices in McMinnville and Sparta, Tennessee, board-certified orthopaedic surgeon Jeffrey Peterson, DO, and his orthopaedic team possess the expertise and experience to treat your arthritis. Call the office nearest you to schedule an appointment or book your visit online today.
Arthritis Q & A
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is any of more than 100 painful diseases that inflame the joints. The most common forms of arthritis are:
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis affects over 32 million Americans, making it the most common form of arthritis. It is caused by the wearing away of the cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones. The bare ends of the bones eventually rub together, causing your joints to become inflamed.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
RA is the result of your immune system attacking your healthy joint tissue lining, causing inflammation and stiffness in your joints. This disease can destroy bone and cartilage.
Inflammatory arthritis
Inflammatory arthritis is actually several conditions that have been linked to genetics, bacteria, and environmental factors. They cause your immune system to attack itself, causing inflammation throughout your body, affecting your joints, muscles, and other organs like your eyes.
What are the symptoms of arthritis?
You could have arthritis if you experience any of the following symptoms in your joints:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Redness
- Stiffness
- Difficulty with mobility
Arthritis can also cause joint deformity over time.
What causes arthritis?
In some cases, you can reduce your risk of developing osteoarthritis. For example, if you’re overweight, losing weight can take the additional strain off your joints. You can also limit repetitive motions or exercises that cause this condition to develop.
Other things that can cause arthritis include:
- Aging
- Infections
- Previous joint injuries
- Genetics
Rheumatoid arthritis strikes women more often than men. Men are more likely to develop gout, an arthritic inflammation of the big toe joint.
How is arthritis treated?
At Pinnacle Orthopaedics, Dr. Peterson and his team take a conservative approach to treating your arthritis. They work to relieve your pain, prevent your arthritis from getting worse, and keep your joints moving freely.
He and his team might recommend:
- Vitamin and nutrient supplements
- Therapeutic exercise
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Counterirritants
- Corticosteroids
- Joint injections
- Acupuncture
- Weight loss
Dr. Peterson’s holistic approach focuses on the whole body rather than treating only the affected joint. He could also use platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy or stem cell injections to stimulate new tissue growth. The new tissue replaces the damaged tissue in your arthritic joint.
If you’d like to learn more about arthritis treatment, call Pinnacle Orthopaedics or schedule an appointment online today.
