If you have pain, stiffness, or swelling in one or more joints, you’re not alone. One in four people suffer from arthritis—in fact, it’s one of the most common chronic conditions in the nation. Arthritis is a general term that means inflammation of one or more joints or the tissue around them. It includes more than 100 types of conditions that affect the joints and connective tissues.
The Arthritis and Rheumatology Center at CentraState provides comprehensive treatment for people of all ages with arthritis and related rheumatic diseases and autoimmune conditions that affect the joints and connective tissues. In these conditions, the body’s own immune system triggers inflammation that can result in joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. Aside from affecting joints, these conditions also can affect other vital organs.
Rheumatic and autoimmune diseases are often complex in nature and require careful diagnosis and comprehensive treatment. But there’s good news—the latest treatments and supportive resources available at CentraState are reducing pain, improving mobility, and changing lives.
COMMON CONDITIONS
This is the most common form of arthritis, often occurring in the hands, hips, and knees. It involves wear-and-tear damage to the cartilage in joints. As the cartilage breaks down, it can cause damage to the bones. Common symptoms are pain, stiffness, swelling, and decreased mobility.
The Arthritis and Rheumatology Center at CentraState also treats:
Ankylosing spondylitis – Inflammation from this condition mainly affects the spine, and over time can cause some of the spine’s vertebrae to grow together. This can result in poor posture and mobility as well as trouble breathing.
Gout – This common form of inflammatory arthritis causes sudden and severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness, and tenderness in a joint, commonly in the big toe joint. Gout happens when urate crystals build up in the joint. These crystals can form when you have high levels of uric acid in your blood.
Scleroderma – Scleroderma is a group of conditions in which the skin and connective tissues become hardened and tight. It can happen when there is too much collagen in the body. Sometimes scleroderma only affects the skin. In other cases, it can harm additional parts of the body, such as blood vessels, internal organs, and the digestive system.
Enteropathic arthritis or IBD-associated arthritis – This type of arthritis is associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. In enteropathic arthritis, inflammation of the digestive tract is paired with inflammatory arthritis that affects the joints. About 10 to 20 percent of people with IBD have enteropathic arthritis.
Polymyalgia rheumatica – This inflammatory condition causes muscle pain and stiffness, particularly in the shoulders. It also can affect the neck, upper arms, buttocks, hips, and thighs. Symptoms are usually worse in the morning. Polymyalgia rheumatic is most common in women age 65 and older.
Lyme disease – Lyme disease is an infection caused by bacteria carried by certain ticks. Without early treatment, it can cause problems like severe joint pain and swelling, particularly in the knees. This is called Lyme arthritis. When Lyme disease is caught early, it can be treated with antibiotics.
Osteoporosis – In osteoporosis, bone tissue breaks down faster than it is replaced. This causes bones to become weak and brittle. As a result, fractures can happen easily, particularly in the hip, wrist, and spine. Osteoporosis is more common in women than in men.
TREATMENTS
A new class of cutting-edge biologic medications has been revolutionary in shifting the treatment approach and changing lives. They address the root cause of the problem by targeting the parts of the immune system that trigger inflammation. Some of these medications can be taken orally, while others are provided on-site via infusions or ultrasound-guided injections. Ultrasound guidance increases efficacy by offering greater precision in targeting the affected area. Additional medication options include:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), which relieve pain and reduce inflammation
- Steroids, which reduce inflammation and pain and slow joint damage
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), which calm the immune system to slow the progression of joint and tissue damage
Physical and occupational therapy at the OceanFirst Rehabilitation Center at CentraState can strengthen joints, improve function, and help relieve symptoms for those with arthritis. Our highly trained therapists develop safe and effective treatment plans based on your individual condition and needs. Specialized services include aquatic therapy, spine rehabilitation, and joint replacement recovery. The center is adjacent to the Arthritis and Rheumatology Center at the Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus.
RELATED SERVICES
REQUEST MORE INFORMATION
To contact the Arthritis and Rheumatology Center at CentraState, please call 866-236-8727, or you can request an appointment using the form below.