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Arthritis

Kokoro Health & Wellness

Primary Care Providers located in Addison, Dallas, TX

Tender, swollen, achy joints can make it difficult to complete everyday tasks and enjoy your favorite activities with loved ones. At Kokoro Health & Wellness in Dallas, Texas, Ronald Lester, MD, and their expert team can diagnose and treat arthritis to offer pain relief and improved joint function. Call the office to schedule an appointment or book one online today.

Arthritis Q&A

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is a chronic disease that causes achy, swollen joints, and the condition can be debilitating when left untreated. There are many kinds of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout.

  • With osteoarthritis, wear and tear causes the cartilage cushions between the bones to breaks down
  • With rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system attacks the joint lining
  • With gout, your blood has too much uric acid, causing painful crystals to form in joints, typically the big toe

Treatment can offer relief from arthritis symptoms.

What are the symptoms of arthritis?

Arthritis causes a variety of joint symptoms including:

  • Warmth
  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Stiffness
  • Pain
  • Decreased range of motion
  • Reduced mobility

Arthritis can also cause visible deformities in your joints and affect your ability to grip objects and walk or stand comfortably. 

What are the risk factors for arthritis?

Anyone can develop arthritis, but certain factors boost your risk of getting it. These include:

  • Older age
  • Family history of arthritis
  • Previous joint injuries
  • Obesity
  • Poor dietary habits
  • Lack of exercise

While men are more likely than women to develop gout, women have a higher risk of getting rheumatoid arthritis. 

How does my doctor diagnose arthritis?

To diagnose arthritis, other chronic conditions, or complications associated with arthritis, your doctor reviews your symptoms and medical history. They complete a physical examination and carefully assess your joints and their range of motion. 

Your Kokoro Health & Wellness specialist may recommend you undergo urine, blood, or joint fluid tests, as well as imaging procedures such as X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, or ultrasounds.

What are common arthritis treatments?

Depending on the type of arthritis you have and its severity, your provider may recommend one of the following treatments:

Home remedies

Things you can do at home to relieve joint pain include weight loss, regular exercise, healthy eating, hot or cold packs, and using assistive devices.

Medications

Taking medications can slow the progression of arthritis, reduce pain and inflammation associated with the disease, and improve joint function. 

Injections

Steroid injections or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections can enhance joint health, reduce inflammation, increase joint lubrication, and ease joint pain.

Outpatient IV Infusions

IV infusions can be given on an outpatient basis to help restore joint health and reduce pain associated with arthritis. 

Physical therapy

Exercises can improve range of motion, strength, flexibility, and overall functioning of your joints.

Surgery

In severe cases of arthritis-related joint disfigurement, your specialist may recommend you undergo surgery to repair, remove, or replace joint tissues.

Don’t live with arthritis pain when treatment at Kokoro Health & Wellness can offer you relief. Call the office or use online booking to schedule an appointment right now.