Arthritis Care Specialist

What is arthritis care?

Expert arthritis care can make the difference in easing your symptoms and improving your day-to-day function. While there is no cure for arthritis, which encompasses a wide group of diseases that affect the joints, medical management at The Perdido Bay Medical Group can help you maintain an active and happy life. 

What symptoms does arthritis cause?

There are well over 100 different types of arthritis, and each type can have its own particular challenges. However, many general symptoms occur with most types of arthritis. These include:

• Joint pain 
• Stiffness
• Reduced range of motion
• Joint swelling
• Joint warmth
• Red skin around the affected joints
• Change in the appearance of affected joints

The area where the symptoms occur can vary with the type of arthritis. 

For example, osteoarthritis occurs in large joints, like your hips or knees. It typically affects one joint but not the corresponding joint on the other side. In contrast, rheumatoid arthritis usually affects the smaller joints like those in the hands, and it generally affects joints in pairs.

What does arthritis care involve?

Arthritis care at The Perdido Bay Medical Group is personalized for your type of arthritis, your symptoms, and your health goals. Some of the treatments that help with many types of arthritis include:

Weight loss

Extra weight places unnecessary strain on your already-weakened joints, especially the weight-bearing joints like hips and knees. If you struggle with your weight, The Perdido Bay Medical Group team can help you lose the weight safely to ease your arthritis symptoms and improve your overall health. 

Exercise

Exercise, especially walking, can help you greatly reduce arthritis symptoms naturally. Walking aids joint flexibility, strengthens muscles, and improves circulation to your joints, all of which can reduce your symptoms. 

Physical therapy

Physical therapy helps you improve strength and flexibility, which in turn reduces stiffness and discomfort. It can also help you learn more efficient ways to move safely. 

Medication

Medication for arthritis is specific to the type of disease and your symptoms. You may need nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biologics, or corticosteroids in oral or injection form. 

Most people get excellent results from a blend of several approaches. Through the Chronic CareIQ program, The Perdido Bay Medical Group team monitors your health remotely through text, email, or a smartphone app between appointments. If your remote monitoring shows changes or issues that require attention, the team immediately arranges a visit. 

Learn more about customized arthritis care by calling The Perdido Bay Medical Group, or click the provided link now.