What You Should Know About Managing Arthritis Pain

Chronic joint pain and stiffness are to be expected when you have arthritis, but you’re not entirely at its whim: You can still maintain joint function by engaging in evidence-based arthritis care. A personalized arthritis treatment plan allows you to manage pain, alleviate stiffness, and conserve your independence, too. 

No matter which of the over 100 types of arthritis or related conditions affects your joints, fellowship-trained interventional pain management specialist Eric J. Miller, MD, can provide you with compassionate and conservative care to minimize pain, stiffness, and swelling. With roughly a third of arthritis patients reporting limitations in both work and leisure due to their symptoms, a dynamic treatment plan is critical for your quality of life. 

With offices in Kyle, Floresville, La Vernia, and Gonzales, Texas, Dr. Miller is committed to helping patients in the greater San Antonio area gain the upper hand over life-affecting arthritis symptoms. Here’s what you should know. 

Finding out which type of arthritis you have

Interventional pain management can reduce symptoms of any type of arthritis while improving or maintaining your joint function. During your treatment consultation and initial exam, Dr. Miller determines the type of arthritis you have and formulates your care plan accordingly. Of the numerous types of arthritis, the most common are:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA), the leading cause of joint pain, causes cartilage degeneration within your joints because of wear and tear. As the smooth cartilage deteriorates, your bones eventually rub directly together, resulting in the condition’s characteristic pain and stiffness. 

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the second most common rheumatic disease, is an autoimmune condition. Autoimmune diseases are unique because they stem from an overactive immune system. In this case, your immune system attacks and damages the smooth tissues that line your joints. 

Gout

Gout occurs when there is too much uric acid inside your body. It builds up in the form of crystals on your joints, making joint movement much less fluid, and causing swelling and pain. 

Psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is another example of autoimmune arthritis. It’s connected to psoriasis, a disease affecting your skin and nails, but not everyone with psoriasis skin symptoms develops arthritis, too. 

Treatment without complication

You might wonder if joint replacement surgery or other complex procedures will be necessary within your care plan. Fortunately, most people fare well with conservative, non-surgical care. While surgery may eventually be necessary for worsening joint symptoms, minimally invasive interventional pain treatments often reduce pain and keep your joints functional. 

With Dr. Miller, you can expect gentle and uncomplicated care with evidence-based treatments like:

• Recommended daily physical activity
• Personalized physical therapy exercises and stretches
• Dietary and lifestyle changes for autoimmune arthritis 
• Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Periodic corticosteroid injections in the office
• Counterirritant creams like menthol or capsaicin
• Multiwave locked system (MLS) laser therapy
• Radiofrequency ablation treatment

Although arthritis is incurable, treatment can preserve the function of affected joints and significantly reduce your pain. Some forms of arthritis, like gout, can even go into remission, offering you periods of time without symptoms, for weeks, months, or even years. 

Care personalization with detailed testing

Your arthritis treatment plan is dynamic, meaning it can change based on your evolving needs. With periodic X-rays and joint fluid analysis to keep tabs on your condition, Dr. Miller checks for complications like cartilage loss, bone spurs, and bone damage, which may also require treatment. He updates your care plan according to symptom changes and new developments. 

Our offices are equipped to provide long-term care for your arthritis needs. To reinvigorate your joint health and restore your quality of life, call Eric J. Miller, MD, today, or book a visit online any time.