Arthritis

Sports Medicine & Non-Surgical Sports Medicine Physicians located in Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA

It’s estimated that about one-third of people in the United States have arthritis and experience varying degrees of joint pain, inflammation, and stiffness. At Pacific Coast Orthopedic Sports Medicine in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, Michael Sheps, DC, and the multispeciality health team take a comprehensive approach to arthritis, customizing plans using the most advanced interventions available. For expert arthritis care, call the Westside Los Angeles office today or book an appointment online.   

Arthritis Q & A

Is my knee pain arthritis?

Knee pain has many causes, including arthritis. If you have knee pain, inflammation, and stiffness, then you may have arthritis in your knee. 

Arthritis isn’t a single disease, but a medical term for the broad category of joint inflammation. Many medical conditions and diseases cause arthritis.  

Arthritis can affect any joint in the body, but it most often occurs in the knees, hips, spine, shoulder, and fingers.

What are some common types of arthritis?

Doctors have identified more than a hundred types of arthritis. The most common include:

Osteoarthritis

Most people with arthritis have osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease. The pain and inflammation occur from the gradual wearing away of the cartilage that separates the bones in a joint. 

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

RA is an autoimmune disease that causes joint pain and inflammation because the immune system mistakenly attacks the joint. 

Ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is an arthritis in the spine, causing pain and inflammation in the spinal joints and ligaments. 

The type of arthritis you have helps direct your treatment. 

When should I seek expert care for arthritis?

You should seek expert care for arthritis if you have joint pain and swelling that doesn’t improve in a few days of at-home care. Arthritis tends to worsen over time and getting help sooner may prevent or delay complications.

Pacific Coast Orthopedic Sports Medicine takes a conservative approach to arthritis, utilizing advanced medical treatments and complementary therapies to ease pain and improve joint health. 

They conduct a thorough evaluation when you come in with concerns about joint pain to determine its cause and create an effective treatment plan.

What are the treatments for arthritis?

The Pacific Coast Orthopedic Sports Medicine team spends time talking to you about your arthritis and the activities you can do at home to manage pain and improve joint health, such as exercise, stretching, and weight management.

Medical treatments for arthritis may include:

  • Physical therapy
  • Bracing or taping
  • Nutritional supplements
  • Laser therapy
  • Cryotherapy
  • Shockwave therapy
  • Spinal decompression
  • Cannabidiol (CBD)

If your arthritis is severe and affects mobility, the trained specialists at Pacific Coast Orthopedic Sports Medicine can talk to you about your surgical options. 

Call Pacific Coast Orthopedic Sports Medicine: Michael Sheps, DC today or schedule an appointment using the online booking button.