Arthritis

TOPICS:
1. What is Arthritis?
2. What causes Arthritis?
3. How is Arthritis diagnosed?
4. What are the risk factors for Osteoarthritis
5. What are the treatment options for Osteoarthritis?
6. What is Platelet-Rich-Plasma treatment?
7. What is Joint Denervation?

What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a condition characterized by joint damage, resulting in inflammation. This inflammation manifests as pain, swelling, tenderness, warmth, or redness in the affected joints. Common sites of Arthritis include: Knees, hips, shoulders, hands, wrists, and other parts of the body. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 9.6% of men and 18% of women over the age of 60 years have symptomatic arthritis.

What causes Arthritis?
Arthritis is broadly classified into​:

• Osteoarthritis refers to degeneration of joint cartilages. This commonly affects large joints such as the knees, hips and shoulders. Nevertheless, osteoarthritis can affect any joint - for example the hand joint, ankle joint etc. 
• Inflammatory arthritis refers to inflammation of the joints, resulting in pain. Inflammatory arthritis can be caused by
  Autoimmune disease - An over-active immune system results in the body attacking itself. Examples of this include Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus and Psoriatic Arthritis
  Crystal deposition - Crystal deposition into the joints can result in acute and severe joint pain. Apart from joint pain, there can also be joint redness, swelling and fever. Examples of this include - Gout (Uric acid crystals) and Pseudogout (Calcium Pyrophosphate)
• Septic arthritis refers to an infection the joint. Patients with septic arthritis usually report having a single acutely hot, swollen and painful joint. This can occur when an infection, such as a skin infection or urinary tract infection, spreads through the bloodstream into a joint.​

How is Arthritis Diagnosed?
Diagnosing arthritis involves a comprehensive approach, including:

• Evaluation of personal and family medical history
• Physical examination to assess joint tenderness, redness, warmth, stiffness, or fluid presence
• Utilization of diagnostic tools such as blood tests, urine tests, X-rays, and joint fluid analysis​.

What are the risk factors for Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition. Consequently, the prevalence of this condition increases with age. The risk factors for Osteoarthritis include:

1. Increasing age
2. Obesity / High BMI (body-mass index)
3. Females
4. History of Joint Injuries in the past (eg. Meniscal tears, Fractures)
5. Joint alignment issues (eg. Uneven leg lengths, Bowed knees, Gait issues)
6. Family history of Osteoarthritis
7. Other medical conditions such as Gout, Rheumatoid Arthritis etc​

What are the treatment options for Osteoarthritis?
Treatment modalities are tailored to the type of arthritis, symptom severity, overall health, and other factors. In general, it can be divided into Conservative Care, Minimally Invasive Procedures (non-surgical) and Surgery.

Conservative care
Medications for Osteoarthritis generally consists of pain relief medications and anti-inflammatory medications. While supplement such as Glucosamine are commonly used to promote joint health and are considered to have minimal side effects, there is little evidence that it will prevent Osteoarthritis from worsening.

Physical therapy can be beneficial for patients with osteoarthritis. Physical therapy can help to reduce pain and inflammation around the joint. Additionally, strengthening the muscles around the joint also leads to increase joint stability, reduced stress and improved function. 

Minimally Invasive Procedures (non-surgical)
Minimally invasive procedures for Osteoarthritis depends on the joint that is affected. In generally, these procedures include one or a combination of the following:

• Joint Injections (Hyaluronic Acid or Steroids)
• Platelet Rich Plasma Injection
• Joint Denervation (Hip, Shoulder, Knees)

Surgical options
In some cases, surgery may be required. In such cases, your doctor will recommend that you see a Surgeon. In the event that you need surgery, we work with a number of surgeons to ensure that you will receive appropriate & timely care.  Examples of surgery that can benefit you include:

• Joint Replacement Surgery
• Joint Fusion Surgery
• Joint Preservation Surgery​

What is Platelet Rich Plasma treatment?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy utilizes the healing power of a patient's own blood. In this non-surgical procedure, a small sample of blood is drawn and processed to isolate the platelets, which are rich in growth factors and cytokines essential for tissue repair. Injected directly into the affected knee joint, PRP is thought to work by:

• Stimulate the body's natural healing process
  
• Promoting tissue regeneration
  
• Reducing inflammation
  
• Potentially slowing down the progression of arthritis

Consult with a Pain Specialist to determine if PRP therapy is suitable for your specific condition and treatment goals.

What is Joint Denervation?

Joint denervation is a minimally invasive procedure aimed at providing long-lasting relief for patients suffering from chronic joint pain, particularly in the context of arthritis or other degenerative joint conditions. During this procedure, specialized needles or radiofrequency probes are used to selectively target and disrupt the sensory nerves responsible for transmitting pain signals from the affected joint to the brain. By interrupting these pain signals, joint denervation effectively reduces pain perception and improves overall function, allowing patients to experience significant relief and regain mobility.
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This outpatient procedure is performed under sedation and typically involves minimal discomfort and downtime. Many patients experience noticeable pain relief within a few weeks following joint denervation, with results lasting for several months to 1-2 years. Joint denervation offers a valuable alternative for individuals who have not responded to conservative treatments such as medications, physical therapy, or injections, providing a minimally invasive option to manage chronic joint pain and improve quality of life.