Arizona Pain Treatment Centers
Arthritis
How Can We Help?
Browse Conditions
-
Arm / Shoulder Pain
-
Arthritis
-
Back Pain
-
Bulging Disc
-
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
-
Cervical Radiculopathy
-
Coccydynia
-
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
-
Compressed Disc
-
Degenerative Disease
-
Diabetic / Peripheral Neuropathy
-
Disc Problems
-
Extruded Discs
-
Facet Joint Syndrome
-
General Pain
-
Head Pain / Headaches / Migraines
-
Herniated Discs
-
Inflammation
-
Lumbar Radiculopathy
-
Muscle Pain / Spasm
-
Neck Pain
-
Osteoarthritis
-
Pinched Nerve
-
Piriformis Syndrome
-
Plantar Fasciitis
-
Radiculopathy
-
Rotator Cuff Syndrome
-
Sciatica
-
Soft Tissue Injuries
-
Spondylolisthesis
-
Vertebral Compression Fracture
-
Whiplash Pain / CAD Syndrome
Arthritis
What causes arthritis?
In order to better understand what is going on when a person suffers from some form of arthritis, let us look at how a joint works. Basically, a joint is where one bone moves on another bone. Ligaments hold the two bones together. The ligaments are like elastic bands, while they keep the bones in place your muscles relax or contract to make the joint move. Cartilage covers the bone surface to stop the two bones from rubbing directly against each other. The covering of cartilage allows the joint to work smoothly and painlessly.
A capsule surrounds the joint. The space within the joint – the joint cavity – has synovial fluid. Synovial fluid nourishes the joint and the cartilage. The synovial fluid is produced by the synovium (synovial membrane) which lines the joint cavity.
If you have arthritis something has gone wrong with the joint(s). What goes wrong depends on what type of arthritis you have. It could be that the cartilage is wearing away, a lack of fluid, autoimmunity (your body attacking itself), infection, or a combination of many factors.
What is Arthritis?
The word Arthritis comes from the Greek ‘Arthron’ meaning “joint” and the Latin ‘itis’ meaning “inflammation.” The plural of Arthritis is Arthritides. Arthritis affects the musculoskeletal system, specifically the joints. It is the main cause of disability among people over fifty-five years of age in industrialized countries.
Arthritis is not a single disease – it is a term that covers over 100 medical conditions. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and generally affects elderly patients. Some forms of arthritis can affect people at a very early age.
Depending on the type of arthritis and symptoms present, our providers will prescribe an appropriate treatment and plan for each patient.
Types of Arthritis
There are over 100 types of arthritis. Here are descriptions of some common ones, together with the causes:
Osteoarthritis
A Cartilage loses its elasticity. If the cartilage is stiff it becomes damaged more easily. The cartilage, which acts as a shock absorber, will gradually wear away in some areas. As the cartilage becomes damaged tendons and ligaments become stretched, causing pain. Eventually the bones may rub against each other causing very severe pain.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
An inflammatory form of arthritis. The synovial membrane (synovium) is attacked, resulting in swelling and pain. If left untreated the arthritis can lead to deformity. Rheumatoid arthritis is significantly more common in women than men and generally strikes when the patient is aged between 40 and 60. However, children and much older people may also be affected.
Infectious Arthritis (Septic Arthritis)
An infection in the synovial fluid and tissues of a joint. It is usually caused by bacteria but could also be caused by fungi or viruses. Bacteria, fungi or viruses may spread through the bloodstream from infected tissue nearby and infect a joint. Most susceptible people are those who already have some form of arthritis and develop an infection that travels into the bloodstream.
Browse Conditions
View Additional Treatments
Is Pain Getting in the Way?
Get Back to Doing What You Love.
Schedule Your Appointment Today!
Browse Treatments
-
Cancer Pain Treatments
-
Cervical Selective Nerve Root Block
-
Discography
-
Lateral Branch Block
-
Lateral Branch Radio Frequency Neurotomy
-
Lumbar Sympathetic Block
-
Migraine & Headache Treatment
-
Nerve Root Block
-
Occipital Nerve Block
-
Pain Treatments & Procedures
-
Percutaneous Discectomy
-
Radiofrequency Neurotomy / Ablation
-
Regenerative Medicine
-
Stellate Ganglion Block
-
Sympathetic Block
-
Vertebroplasty
-
Viscosupplementation
Browse Injections
-
Cervical Facet Joint Injection
-
Cortisone Injection
-
Epidural Steroid Injection / Therapeutic
-
Facet Joint Injection
-
Intra Articula Joint Injections
-
Joint Steroid Injections
-
Knee Injections / Ablations
-
Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection
-
Lumbar Facet Joint Injection
-
Medial Branch Block – Test Injection
-
Non-Steroidal Injections
-
Sacroiliac Joint Injections
-
Trigger Point Injections
Browse Conditions
-
Arm / Shoulder Pain
-
Arthritis
-
Back Pain
-
Bulging Disc
-
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
-
Cervical Radiculopathy
-
Coccydynia
-
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
-
Compressed Disc
-
Degenerative Disease
-
Diabetic / Peripheral Neuropathy
-
Disc Problems
-
Extruded Discs
-
Facet Joint Syndrome
-
General Pain
-
Head Pain / Headaches / Migraines
-
Herniated Discs
-
Inflammation
-
Lumbar Radiculopathy
-
Muscle Pain / Spasm
-
Neck Pain
-
Osteoarthritis
-
Pinched Nerve
-
Piriformis Syndrome
-
Plantar Fasciitis
-
Radiculopathy
-
Rotator Cuff Syndrome
-
Sciatica
-
Soft Tissue Injuries
-
Spondylolisthesis
-
Vertebral Compression Fracture
-
Whiplash Pain / CAD Syndrome
AZPTC Patient Portal
The secure, convenient, and easy way to access your health information.
View your health record, book an appointment, join a televisit, and pay your bill.
If you are inquiring about an "MRI REVIEW" but do not have an appointment, please call 602-265-8800 to inform the consult physician that the images have been submitted.
MRI & Records Upload
Share medical images and your patient records with AZPTC.
Please choose a FOLDER or a SPECIFIC IMAGE to upload from your personal computer or mobile device. If you have any questions, please call us at 602-265-8800.
MRI & Records Upload
Share medical images and your patient records with AZPTC.
Please choose a FOLDER or a SPECIFIC IMAGE to upload from your personal computer or mobile device. If you have any questions, please call us at 602-265-8800.