Arthritis is common and a progressive condition that leads to debilitating pain for many people. Getting treatment early for your arthritis may help prevent joint damage and the pain that comes with it. Board-certified anesthesiologist John Dimowo, MD, at California Pain Regenerative & Wellness Physicians, provides innovative treatments for arthritis to improve your joint health and reduce pain. To learn more, call the Ontario, California, office or schedule an appointment online today.

Arthritis Q & A
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a general medical term used to describe joint inflammation. In addition to inflammation, you may also experience joint pain, limited mobility, and swelling.

Arthritis is a progressive condition that gets worse over time and may affect your ability to complete daily tasks and impact your overall quality of life.

Taking care of your arthritis early may prevent chronic health problems later in life. Dr. Dimowo and his team at California Pain Regenerative & Wellness Physicians can provide treatments to help you get relief from pain and prevent deterioration of your joints with regenerative medicine.

What causes arthritis?
There are more than 100 types of arthritis. The most common causes of the joint inflammation include:

Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of arthritis. Referred to as wear-and-tear arthritis, osteoarthritis develops due to the wearing away of the cartilage that provides the cushion in between your joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis
With rheumatoid arthritis, a type of autoimmune disease, your body’s immune system attacks the lining of your joint capsule, leading to inflammation and pain. Without proper treatment, this type of arthritis can lead to permanent joint damage and deformity.

Psoriatic arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is also an autoimmune disease, but instead of the joint capsule, the immune system attacks the connective tissue in your joints.

Gout
Gout develops from a buildup of uric acid crystals in your blood. This type of arthritis, which most often affects the joints in the big toe, can cause sudden and severe pain.

Fibromyalgia is also considered a possible cause of arthritis as it creates widespread pain throughout the entire body, which may involve your joints.

What are the treatments for arthritis?
Treatment for your arthritis may depend on its underlying cause. In addition to disease-specific medication for conditions such as gout or rheumatoid arthritis, you may find that anti-inflammatory medication provides relief from pain.

You might also benefit from physical therapy to improve strength and balance, reducing stress on the affected joint.

Dr. Dimowo is a pain management specialist and can develop an individualized treatment plan to help you get relief from your arthritis.

In addition to traditional medicine, Dr. Dimowo may also recommend regenerative medicine therapies such as stem cell therapy or platelet-rich plasma (PRP). These innovative treatments stimulate joint healing to repair damage, reduce pain, and improve overall mobility and joint function.

To learn more about the innovative treatments available for your arthritis, call California Pain Regenerative & Wellness Physicians or schedule an appointment online today.