Arthritis Specialist
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Interventional Orthopedics, and Sports Medicine located in West Des Moines, IA
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Arthritis services offered in West Des Moines, IA
Many people have arthritis. Michael D. Jackson, MD, FAAPMR, at Regenerative Medicine of Iowa, PC, specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation. With his skillful holistic interventional approach to sports medicine and pain management, Dr. Jackson can help. To learn more about arthritis and the treatments available, call the West Des Moines, Iowa, office or request an appointment online today.
Arthritis Q&A
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a painful inflammation of one or more joints. Not a single disease, there are more than 100 different types of arthritis and related conditions, each with its specific symptoms.
Osteoarthritis is common, affecting millions of people worldwide. It causes the protective cartilage that cushions your bones to wear down.
Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune and inflammatory disease, is also quite common. With this form of arthritis, the immune system attacks healthy cells by mistake, causing painful swelling and inflammation.
People with osteoarthritis may struggle with pain in their hip joints and knee joints.
Who has arthritis?
People in every age group can have arthritis, but it’s most common in adults. The average age of onset is between 30 and 60 years for rheumatoid arthritis, but for osteoarthritis, the onset age is often later. Many people in their senior years suffer from osteoarthritis, with the majority of people having at least some osteoarthritis symptoms by the time they're 70.
What are common indicators of arthritis?
Many people with arthritis describe a dull ache, especially around the joints. Common indicators of arthritis can include:
- Swollen joints
- Inflammation
- Struggling with ordinary movements
- Pain and stiffness
- Redness
With arthritis, it’s common to struggle with ordinary movements, like picking an object up. It’s not unusual to feel painfully stiff, especially early in the morning. You can also feel exhausted and overwhelmed due to chronic pain unless you seek treatment.
What is the treatment for arthritis?
Arthritis treatment may vary according to the type of arthritis, the patient's current symptoms, and medical history. Physical therapy, medications, topical creams, or sometimes surgery help reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.
Regenerative Medicine of Iowa, PC, also offers ultrasound-guided injections, autologous orthobiologics like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and bone marrow concentrate, extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), and other natural treatments for arthritis discomfort.
Surgical options for arthritis range from arthroscopic surgery to total joint replacement. Joint replacement is extremely traumatic and includes the risk of failure, chronic pain and toxic particles from wear-and-tear being released into the bloodstream.
Risk factors aside, most surgeries require months of rehabilitation to regain strength and mobility. Surgeries commonly result in anatomical and biomechanical changes that can progress osteoarthritis. Recent research has shown that some popular surgeries, such as meniscectomy, are less beneficial than conservative care, such as physical therapy.
Arthritis can cause pain, swelling, and joint stiffness. Treatment for Arthritis can decrease pain, improve function, sometimes stop joint damage, and slow joint destruction.
To learn more about arthritis and the treatment options available at Regenerative Medicine of Iowa, PC, call the office, or click online today.