One of the many rheumatic conditions and one of the most common in the U.S. is known as osteoarthritis or OA. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease which breaks down the joint cartilage or cushion between the bones which cause the bones to rub against each other causing pain and loss of movement. The most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis affects almost 27 million Americans. Nicknamed wear-and-tear arthritis, osteoarthritis can damage any joint however, the most commonly affected are the hands, neck, lower back, hips and knees.
After 50, women are more often impacted by the disease than men and eventually can lead to loss of joint function and decrease in the quality of life. While symptoms can appear anytime, they usually appear after age forty and progress slowly. Some of the most common symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
- Pain and tenderness during or after movement and with pressure
- Stiffness which may be most noticeable in the morning or after inactivity
- Loss of flexibility
- A grating sensation during use
- Bony growths on effected joints
While the cause is not known for certain, some factors are known to increase the chances of being impacted by OA including weight, heredity, injury, overuse, aging and lack of physical activity.
Rheumatologist Wixom MI
To learn more about how to diagnose, treat and manage your OA, you will need a skilled and knowledgeable rheumatologist. The Arthritis Institute of Michigan is the right choice. A number of our patients come from Wixom in search of treatment for any number of rheumatic conditions ranging from rheumatoid arthritis to osteoarthritis and even systemic lupus erythematosus, just to name a few. Located in the city of Brighton MI, our state of the art clinic offers a variety of services for patients including in-office infusions, joint injections, aspirations and even nutritional therapies. If you are living in Wixom, MI and are looking for a nearby rheumatologist, the Arthritis Institute of Michigan is less than a half hour away and is accepting new patients. Many rheumatic conditions can be slowed and controlled with early treatment. Don’t wait until it’s too late, contact us at 810.225.7553 or fill out the form below to schedule an appointment today.