• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Subscribe
    • Become a print subscriber
    • Sign up for e-Newsletter
    • e-Editions
Thursday, September 28, 2023
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
      • Photo of the Week
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
      • Photo of the Week
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
No Result
View All Result

Early treatment is best defense against arthritis

by Charles Crutchfield III MD
March 9, 2016
28
SHARES
550
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on LinkedIn

 

Dear Dr. Crutchfield, what is arthritis?

crutchfieldsquareArthritis is a condition where the joints become tender, swollen and painful. The pain is a result of significant inflammation in the joints.

When arthritis affects the joints of the hips and knees, it can make it difficult to walk. When the arthritis affects the joints of the hands, it can make it nearly impossible to complete the normal everyday tasks of living.

Untreated, the joints of arthritis can become misshapen and gnarled. There are several types of arthritis. The two most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. This article will focus on these two types of arthritis.

- ADVERTISEMENT -
(Graphic courtesy of Dr. Crutchfield)
(Graphic courtesy of Dr. Crutchfield)

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis results from the destruction of the smooth and slippery covering on the ends of the bones, the cartilage. This smooth protective covering of cartilage erodes and wears away over years with everyday use. The cartilage breaks down. The joint space becomes narrow and crowded. Bone spurs can also occur and cause pain.

With advanced stages of osteoarthritis, the covering is gone and the bone can grind, bone-on-bone, in the joint. This can produce pain, joint deformity, and limitation in movement. Sometimes injury or infection can cause or make osteoarthritis worse.

Rheumatoid arthritis

In rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system becomes confused and attacks the joint and its components. This includes an inflammatory attack on the thick membrane covering of the joint called the synovium. In addition to a swollen and inflamed synovial membrane around the joint, the associated cartilage can wear down, the nearby bone can erode, and the joints can fuse and become stiff, leading to a condition called ankylosis.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

The immune system attack causes pain, inflammation, and eventually the permanent destruction of the joint. There is a similar condition called psoriatic arthritis that affects patients with psoriasis. It is similar to rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis results from wearing away of the smooth protective covering on the ends of bones in your joints. In rheumatoid arthritis, the capsule that that covers, protects and lubricates joints becomes attacked and inflamed. Both can cause the loss of use of the affected joints.

Risk factors for arthritis

  • Family history. Some types of arthritis run in families.
  • Age. The risk of developing arthritis increases with age.
  • Sex. Women more commonly develop arthritis.
  • Previous joint injury or infection. Playing traumatic sports can also lead to arthritis.
  • Obesity. Excessive weight, force and trauma on the joints from obesity can lead to arthritis.

Symptoms of arthritis

  • Pain
  • Stiffness
  •  Swelling
  • Tenderness
  • Redness
  • Decreased flexibility
  • Joint destruction

Diagnosis and laboratory tests

- ADVERTISEMENT -

On physical examination, your doctor will check your joints for tenderness, pain, warmth, swelling and range of motion. The fluid of the affected joint can be examined under the microscope to aid in the diagnosis of arthritis.

Imaging tests can also help determine the diagnosis. These include:

  • X-rays.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Computerized tomography (CT
  • Ultrasound

Arthroscopy (looking into the joint): In some cases a small, flexible tube with a camera-like tip can be inserted into the joint via a small incision and the inflamed joint can be visualized on a TV-like monitor. This can also help determine the diagnosis and treatment options for arthritis.

Arthritis treatments

Lifestyle modifications may improve arthritis. These include:

- ADVERTISEMENT -
  • Weight loss
  • Exercise, especially low-impact like water aerobics
  • Heat and cold. Hot or cold compresses may reduce joint pain.
  • Movements/Stretching. The key is to increase range-of-motion.
  • Massage

Often there are many treatments for arthritis. Some treatments will work better in some patients than in others. Some treatments will work better for certain types of arthritis. Sometimes multiple treatments may have to be tried and used for best results.

Additional arthritis treatments include:

  • Pain relievers
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Depleters of Substance P, the chemical that transmits pain. Creams that contain capsaicin, the ingredient that makes peppers hot, is the common medication here. Rubbing these preparations on the skin can cause a blockage of the pain signal in arthritic joints.
  • Disease-modifying medications. These are medicines that turn down the inflammatory attack on the joints. Methotrexate is one of these medicines.
  • Biologics agents. These are designer proteins that directly interfere with and block the immune system’s inflammatory attack on joints.
  • Glucocorticosteroids. Cortisone and prednisone are common medicines here. They reduce inflammation and pain in arthritic joints.
  • Physical therapy. Physical therapy can be very beneficial in treating certain types of arthritis. It can improve range-of-motion and strengthen the joints.
  • Surgery. Joint replacement is for joints at an advanced stage where repair or effective treatment is not possible. Joint replacement therapy has become common and can be life-changing for those who need it. It can greatly improve the quality of life.

 

If you have arthritis, be sure to check with your doctor. Many forms can be progressive and degenerative. Early treatment and intervention are important to preserve joints and quality of life. Fortunately, there are many excellent treatments for arthritis.

 

Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD is a board-certified dermatologist and Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He also has a private practice in Eagan, MN. He has been selected as one of the top 10 dermatologists in the United States by Black Enterprise magazine and one of the top 21 African American physicians in the U.S. by the Atlanta Post. Dr. Crutchfield is an active member of the Minnesota Association of Black Physicians, MABP.org.

Support Black local news

Help amplify Black voices by donating to the MSR. Your contribution enables critical coverage of issues affecting the community and empowers authentic storytelling.

Donate Now!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Adrienne Richardson among the nation’s best

Next Post

E. coli outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts

Charles Crutchfield III MD

Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD was the senior medical advisor for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder until his passing on June 21, 2023. He launched and helped organize a weekly Doctor's Advice column where he and other Black physicians offered timely medical advice on pertinent topics in the Black community. Dr. Crutchfield III was a board-certified dermatologist and clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School and a Benedict Distinguished Visiting Professor of biology at Carleton College. He also had a private practice, Crutchfield Dermatology in Eagan, MN. He received his MD and master’s degree in molecular biology and genomics from the Mayo Clinic. He had been selected as one of the top 10 dermatologists in the United States by Black Enterprise magazine. Minnesota Medicine recognized Dr. Crutchfield as one of the 100 Most Influential Healthcare Leaders in Minnesota. Dr. Crutchfield specialized in skincare for people of color and has been selected by physicians and nurses as one of the leading dermatologists in Minnesota for the past 18 years. He was the team dermatologist for the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild and Lynx. Dr. Crutchfield was an active member of both the American and National Medical Associations and president of the Minnesota Association of Black Physicians.

You Might Also Like

Linemen lead St. Paul Central past city rival
Sports

Linemen lead St. Paul Central past city rival

What should the community do with the Third Precinct now?
Local

City Council reneges on Third Precinct proposal

Hennepin County attorney to handle investigation into Cobb killing
Local

Hennepin County attorney to handle investigation into Cobb killing

The debate over police officers in schools
Local

The debate over police officers in schools

Sickle Cell Awareness Month: Breakthrough treatments on the horizon
Health & Wellness

Sickle Cell Awareness Month: Breakthrough treatments on the horizon

Health department concerned about Stillwater water supply, but says it is safe to drink
Local

Health department concerned about Stillwater water supply, but says it is safe to drink

Next Post

E. coli outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ADVERTISEMENT

Upcoming Events

Sep 12
September 12 @ 6:30 pm-December 18 @ 9:30 pm Recurring

Vic Volare Presents MUSIC FOR MARTINIS ft: Vic’s Fabulous Nightclub Academy

Sep 28
7:30 pm-9:30 pm Recurring

Ayodele Casel Rooted

Sep 30
9:00 am-1:00 pm Recurring

Cars and Caves

Sep 30
10:00 am-12:00 pm

dem Blessings for Parents: A Morning of Creative Nourishment with Sharon Bridgforth

View Calendar
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Read our latest e-Edition!

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Subscribe

  • Home/Office Delivery
  • Weekly e-newsletter
  • e-Editions

Support

  • Donate
  • Subscribe
  • MSR Newsstand Locations

Connect

  • About
    • MSR Staff
  • Contact
  • Send a news tip
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

No Result
View All Result
  • News & Features
    • Local
    • National
  • All Sections
    • Arts & Culture
    • Health & Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • MN Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Business
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
      • Small Business Month Celebration
    • Opinion
    • Sports
  • Events
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • Donate
  • Subscribe

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: