Inflammatory Arthritis Treatment Carnegie
A quick diagnosis aims to ensure early and beneficial intervention.
What is Inflammatory Arthritis?
Inflammatory arthritis is the name given to joint inflammation as the result of an overactive immune system. While there are exceptions, it tends to start earlier in life (as opposed to osteoarthritis, which generally affects older people). This less common condition may affect many joints throughout the body at the same time, or it may affect a single joint.
The most common forms of inflammatory arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, Lyme disease, and gout. The condition begins in the joint’s lining tissue (the synovium) which thickens, causing the cells within the tissue and the joint fluid to release chemicals that cause systemic inflammation.
GLEN EIRA PHYSIOTHERAPY
Causes of Inflammatory Arthritis
Inflammatory arthritis is an autoimmune condition, which means that it’s caused by the immune system attacking healthy body tissue.
In a healthy person, the body’s immune system makes antibodies that attack bacteria and viruses. In a person with inflammatory arthritis, however, the body’s immune system mistakes its cells for bacteria and sends antibodies that attack the lining of the joint tissue (as well as nearby bones, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments).
Unfortunately, it’s not yet known what triggers these conditions to occur, although researchers believe that it is linked to:
- Genetics (there is some evidence that conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis, may run in families)
- Hormones (these conditions tend to be more common in women than men)
- Smoking (there is some evidence that suggests people who smoke have an increased risk)
Symptoms of Inflammatory Arthritis
Symptoms generally develop gradually over weeks (or days in more severe cases) and vary from person to person. Symptoms may come and go or they may be persistent. They’ve been known to change over time, and flares often occur as your condition deteriorates.
The main symptoms of inflammatory arthritis are joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. It may occur in any joint of the body, but those in the hands or feet are often the first to be affected.
Some of the symptoms to look out for include:
- Joint pain, swelling, tenderness, or stiffness that lasts for six weeks or longer and is worse after periods of inactivity or rest
- Swelling, warmth, or redness in the affected joints
- Fatigue and a lack of energy
Inflammatory arthritis may also cause problems in other areas of the body, such as the eyes (dryness, redness, and sensitivity to light), lungs (inflammation and scarring that may lead to shortness of breath), or skin (rheumatoid nodules, which are small lumps that occur over bony areas).
Do you suffer from a form of painful inflammatory arthritis?
Add Glen Eira Physiotherapy to your healthcare team today.
Treatment Available for Inflammatory Arthritis
While there is no cure for inflammatory arthritis, seeking early support and treatment may help reduce the risk of joint damage and limit the impact that the condition has on your life.
Physiotherapy forms an important part of the management approach for inflammatory arthritis. Our approach involves working with the other members of your healthcare team to help you achieve your goals. This involves:
- Providing education about the condition, particularly the role of exercise, managing fatigue and flares, and pacing activities
- Addressing any specific muscle or joint symptoms with manual therapy, exercise, or splinting
- Assessing and managing joint biomechanics
- Prescribing safe exercise according to your health and fitness
- Monitoring your health over time, including both your physical and mental health
Some of the specific treatment options that your physiotherapist may recommend include massage therapy, cold/hot applications, joint protection strategies (such as splints, compression bandages, and adaptive equipment), electrical stimulation, therapeutic exercise, and hydrotherapy.
In cases where nonsurgical methods have failed and pain is chronic, joint replacement surgery may be used.
For more information about rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory arthritis conditions, you can find resources at Arthritis Australia and the Australian Rheumatology Association.
Your Inflammatory Arthritis Questions Answered
These conditions may be difficult to diagnose because there are many causes of joint inflammation and stiffness. Some of the steps that may go into your diagnosis may include your medical history, blood tests, x-rays, MRI scans, and a physical examination of the affected joint.
Although they have similar symptoms, there are some distinct differences between the two. Osteoarthritis starts in the cartilage and is less of an inflammatory process, while inflammatory conditions often begin in other soft tissues around the joint.
No, inflammatory arthritis is a permanent condition. You may, however, have periods where you don’t notice symptoms and don’t require as much treatment. These periods are known as remission and may come and go.
Yes, having one of these conditions should not preclude you from getting pregnant. Some patients even report that their symptoms are much milder during pregnancy. Exercise caution in the postpartum period, as this is when the condition is prone to reactivating.
While there are some risk factors that you cannot change (such as genetics and age), there are some things that you may be able to do to lower your risk of developing inflammatory arthritis. These include eating a healthy diet, being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, and quitting smoking.
Why Choose Glen Eira Physiotherapy?
Dedicated Team
Our team brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. Senior physiotherapist, Prof. Andrew Briggs, typically works with people with chronic pain conditions such as inflammatory arthritis.
Accessible Location
Our clinical practice is ideally located close to Murumbeena train station and tram line. We understand the importance of seeking treatment quickly so making an appointment is easy.
Personalised Treatment Plans
We understand that no two patients are alike, which is why we’re committed to creating personalised treatment plans that take the individual’s condition, needs, and overall goals into account.
Living with Inflammatory Arthritis
For many people, being diagnosed with a form of inflammatory arthritis is life-changing. Depending on how much pain you experience and how damaged the affected joint is, even simple daily tasks may become more challenging. You may need to make some changes to your lifestyle in order to manage your condition. These may include:
- Take any medication as instructed, even if you start to feel better
- Have regular reviews with your healthcare team to monitor for changes to your condition
- Get plenty of rest during a flare-up and have any vaccinations your team recommends
- Eat healthy and exercise regularly (low-impact activities are typically best)
Inflammatory Arthritis Treatment Carnegie with Glen Eira Physiotherapy
Inflammatory arthritis is a chronic condition that may lead to significant loss of physical function and even disability for many patients. But it doesn’t have to be this way if you seek treatment and have a qualified healthcare team to support you.
The goal of physiotherapy in inflammatory arthritis patients is to provide pain relief, prevent impairment, increase functional ability, and provide education. Give the helpful health professionals at Glen Eira Physiotherapy a call today – we’re here to help.
Find Us
Hip Pain Treatment Near Me: Get Directions From Your Location
If you would like to speak to one of our team members or make an appointment, please call us on (03) 9571 2111 or book online now.
Physiolates have been providing comprehensive care to patients in Melbourne’s South East. We are a multi-disciplinary clinic with highly experienced staff dedicated to providing high-quality care to our patients.
Glen Eira Physio Are Proudly Associated With
