Arthritis is a term used to describe more than 100 different conditions that affect the joints in the body. The word “arthritis” actually means inflammation of a joint. Almost every animal that can walk is susceptible to this inflammation. Although many types of arthritis have common aspects, each type has its own pattern of symptoms and affects different people in different ways.        

Two major forms of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. In cases of rheumatoid arthritis, the body's immune system appears to go awry and attacks healthy parts of the body, particularly the joints. In severe cases, the joints become deformed and internal organs are adversely affected.        

Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is also called degenerative joint disease or "wear and tear" arthritis. Almost everyone is affected by it to some extent as they grow older. It most frequently occurs in weight-bearing joints, mainly knees, hips and ankles.

This form of arthritis slowly and gradually breaks down the cartilage that covers the ends of each bone in a joint. Normally, cartilage acts as a shock absorber, providing a smooth surface between the bones; but, with osteoarthritis, the smooth surface becomes rough and pitted. In advanced stages, it may wear away completely. Without their normal gliding surfaces, the bones grind against one another, causing inflammation, pain and restricted movement. In osteoarthritis of the knee, the shape of the bone and appearance of the leg may change over the years. Many people become bowlegged or knock-kneed. In osteoarthritis of the hip, the affected leg may appear shorter.

While there is no cure for arthritis, advances in technology continue to develop new ways to manage symptoms of osteoarthritis. The goals of treatment are to reduce pain, increase the strength of the joints, maintain or improve joint movement and reduce the disabling effects of osteoarthritis.

Treatment often depends on the joints involved and can include medicines, lifestyle changes, physical therapy and surgery.

The most common medications used to treat osteoarthritis are pain relievers known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These include aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen and can be either over-the-counter or prescription medications. While NSAIDs often work well, long-term use of these drugs is not recommended as they can cause stomach problems, increased risk of heart attack or stroke and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Another medicine used to treat osteoarthritis is cortisone, a steroid injected directly into the joint. Cortisone injections are used to treat inflammation of the joint and pain. For some people these injections can reduce or relieve osteoarthritis symptoms for months or even years.

In addition to medication, there are a variety of lifestyle changes that can offer relief of osteoarthritis symptoms. These can include:        

• Ice treatments – Ice packs on the knee (three times daily, 10-20 minutes at a time) can be helpful for inflammation and temporary relief of pain and soreness.        

• Heat – Applying heat can be beneficial to warm up the joint prior to exercise or activity.        

• Diet – While there is no evidence that any specific foods will prevent or relieve osteoarthritis symptoms, a balanced diet is important to maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight can aggravate arthritis by putting added pressure on the joints.        

• Exercise and physical therapy can be beneficial in reducing symptoms of osteoarthritis by improving muscle strength and regaining motion in stiff joints. Water exercises, such as swimming, can be especially helpful as they provide exercise in a low-impact environment.        

In some cases, surgery can be the best treatment option for osteoarthritis. The most common joint surgeries for osteoarthritis relief are arthroscopy and joint replacement. Arthroscopy is a minimally-invasive procedure used to diagnose and treat conditions of the joint using a small instrument that allows surgeons to see inside a joint and repair problems through a very small incision. Unfortunately, arthroscopic procedures generally are not helpful for arthritis. In some cases, a flap of torn knee cartilage can aggravate arthritis and cause additional pain. The cartilage flap can be removed by arthroscopy and may reduce or eliminate the pain.        

Joint replacement surgery can be a very effective solution to the pain and disability of advanced osteoarthritis. During joint replacement, the rough, worn surfaces of the joint are relined with smooth-surfaced metal and plastic components.        

Sprains and strains are common injuries that share similar signs and symptoms, but involve different parts of your body including your shoulder, elbow, wrist, hips, knees, hamstrings, ankles and even lower back. A sprain is a stretching or tearing of ligaments — the tough bands of fibrous tissue that connect one bone to another in your joints. A strain is a stretching or tearing of muscle or tendon. A tendon is a fibrous cord of tissue that connects muscles to bones. Strains often occur in the lower back and in the hamstring muscle in the back of your thigh.        

For mild sprains and strains your physician will likely recommend basic home treatment, such as over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, etc). In cases of a mild or moderate sprain or strain, apply ice to the area as soon as possible to minimize swelling. In cases of severe sprain or strain, your physician may immobilize the area with a brace or splint. In rare cases in which a ligament has torn or the muscle has ruptured, surgery may be necessary to repair the injury.

The rotator cuff is a network of four muscles that come together as tendons to form a covering around the head of the humerus. The rotator cuff attaches the humerus to the shoulder blade and helps to lift and rotate your arm. A rotator cuff injury can cause a dull ache in the shoulder, which often worsens when you try to sleep on the involved side. Rotator cuff injuries occur most often in people who repeatedly perform overhead motions in their jobs or sports. There are two main causes of rotator cuff tears - injury and degeneration.        

There are a variety of treatment options for rotator cuff tears. Non-surgical treatment options include observation, physical therapy and medications. However a high grade partial thickness rotator cuff tear and most full thickness tears usually require surgical treatment to reliably improve pain and function of the shoulder. Although surgery is elective (meaning the choice is entirely up to you as a patient), without operative treatment, pain usually increases while strength and movement deteriorate over time. In approximately 95 percent of cases the rotator cuff tendons can be repaired directly back to the bone. In the remainder of patients the tear may be irreparable. In this circumstance, the removal of inflamed scar tissue and bone spurs can help with the pain but not with overhead strength.

Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder. Over time, the shoulder becomes very hard to move.        

More than 90 percent of patients improve with relatively simple treatments to control pain and restore motion. Medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen reduce pain and swelling. Steroid injections such as cortisone are powerful anti-inflammatory medicines that are injected directly into your shoulder joint. Physical therapy may also be recommended to help restore motion and can include both stretching and range of motion exercises. In some cases, generally when other treatment options have proven unsuccessful, surgery may be considered. Surgery generally focuses on removing scar tissue and adhesions from inside your shoulder joint.        

Bursitis is a painful condition that affects the small fluid-filled pads, called bursae (bur-SEE), that act as cushions between your bones and the tendons and muscles near your joints. Bursitis occurs when bursae become inflamed. The most common locations for bursitis are in the shoulder, elbow and hip, however it is possible for bursitis to occur in your knee, heel and the base of your big toe. Bursitis often occurs near joints that perform frequent repetitive motion.        

If the inflammation in your bursa is caused by an infection, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic medication. Your doctor may also recommend physical therapy or exercises to strengthen the muscles in the affected area to ease pain and prevent recurrence. Your doctor may also inject a corticosteroid drug into the bursa to relieve inflammation. This treatment generally brings rapid pain relief and, in many cases, one injection is all you'll need. In some cases, an inflamed bursa must be surgically drained, but only rarely is surgical removal of the affected bursa necessary.

Tendonitis is an inflammation or irritation of a tendon, a thick cord that attaches bone to muscle. Tendinitis is most often caused by repetitive, minor impact on the affected area, or from a sudden more serious injury.        

The most common treatment for tendonitis is avoiding activities that aggravate the problem and resting the injured area. Icing the area the day of the injury and taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicines or using topical anti-inflammatory gels may also provide relief. Some advanced treatments include, corticosteroid injections, physical therapy or in rare cases surgery if the condition does not respond to other treatments.

A labral tear occurs in the ring of cartilage, called the labrum, that follows the outside rim of the socket of your shoulder or hip joint. The labrum helps to give stability to these joints and acts like a rubber seal. Labral tears occur as a result of trauma to the joint, such as a blow, falling or a sudden pull on the joint or from repetitive use, such as throwing or running.        

Treatment choices will depend on the severity of your symptoms. Some people recover with medications and physical therapy within a few weeks, while others may require surgery to repair or remove the torn portion of the labrum.        

A dislocation is an injury to a joint — a place where two or more of your bones come together — in which the ends of your bones are forced from their normal positions. This painful injury temporarily deforms and immobilizes your joint. Dislocation is most common in the shoulders and fingers. Other sites for dislocations include the elbows, knees and hips. If you suspect a dislocation, seek prompt medical attention to return your bones to their proper positions. When treated properly, most dislocations return to normal function after several weeks of rest and rehabilitation. However, some joints, such as your shoulder, may have an increased risk of repeat dislocation.      

Treatment of the dislocation depends on the site and severity of your injury. Reduction is the process in which your physician may try some gentle maneuvers to help your bone shift back into proper position. Depending on the amount of pain and swelling, you may need a local anesthetic or even a general anesthetic before manipulation of your bones. Once your bones are back in the correct position, your physician may immobilize your joint with a splint or sling for several weeks. How long you wear the splint or sling depends on the joint involved and the extent of damage to nerves, blood vessels and supporting tissues. You may need surgery if your doctor can't move your dislocated bones back into their correct positions or if the nearby blood vessels, nerves or ligaments have been damaged. Surgery may also be necessary if you have had recurring dislocations, especially of your shoulder. After your splint or sling is removed, you'll begin a gradual rehabilitation program designed to restore your joint's range of motion and strength.