Arthritis/Joint Pain
Treating arthritis pain.
Arthritis, often described as a single disease, is actually over 100 different diseases that fall under the heading of arthritis. Arthritis literally means joint inflammation. Its symptoms include swelling, redness, stiffness and pain. If left untreated, arthritis can lead to permanent tissue damage.
The bones that meet to form our joints are surrounded by a viscous liquid called synovial fluid. This fluid acts as a lubricant that allows the bones at a joint to move together without friction. The two most common types of arthritis are:
Osteoarthritis.
The most common arthritis, this occurs when cartilage at the end of bone wears away. Without this protection, bones rub together and create friction. This causes pain and swelling. Osteoarthritis most often affects the hands, knees, hips and spine (usually in the facet joints). Osteoarthritis is called a degenerative joint disease because the cartilage often degenerates as we age.
Rheumatoid arthritis.
This long-lasting disease can affect joints in any part of the body. The body’s immune system attacks itself and causes the joint lining to swell. Inflammation spreads to surrounding tissues and eventually damages cartilage and bone. More severe rheumatoid arthritis can also affect the skin, eyes and nerves.
Kenneth C. Lewis, MD, is a board-certified anesthesiologist with many years of experience treating arthritis pain. He uses the most advanced interventional pain techniques – facet blocks, radiofrequency rhizotomy for spinal facet arthritis and pressure-controlled discography – to correctly diagnose and aid the treatment of arthritis pain. By locating the pain generator and turning it off, he has restored quality of life to many arthritis sufferers.
Get the compassionate help you need.
Instead of suffering with arthritis pain, see Dr. Lewis at our interventional pain management office nearest you in Grand Junction, Fruita or Rangley, Colorado. He’ll always try to find the most effective way to treat your pain and he welcomes and encourages your referrals.
For more information about arthritis pain please visit our Patient Education Library. To schedule an appointment, please call Western Rockies Interventional Pain Management at 970-270-2259 or use our Interactive Online Appointment Request Form.