Will Arthritis Ever Get Better on Its Own? 

People are often surprised to learn there are over 100 types of arthritis. One of the most common types is osteoarthritis (OA), also known as “wear-and-tear” arthritis or degenerative joint disease, because it wears down the cartilage in your joints. 

However, there’s also rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which is an autoimmune disease, gout, and many other types that can cause joint damage and inflammation — and affect your daily life. 

Unfortunately, there’s no cure for arthritis. In fact, without treatment, it will likely worsen over time rather than improve. But it’s not all bad news: Sergio Alvarado, MD, and our expert team at Spine & Pain Center of San Antonio can help you manage arthritis pain with various treatments, from physical therapy to stem cell injections. Here’s what you should know.  

Common arthritis types and symptoms

Because there are so many different types of arthritis, the nature and severity of your symptoms can vary. However, common arthritis symptoms include: 

• Joint pain
• Joint stiffness 
• Achy joints 
• Limited mobility

OA, the most common arthritis diagnosis, causes your cartilage to break down as you age. When this protective coating within your joints thins or disappears, you can experience painful bone-one-bone grinding. 

RA is an autoimmune disease that affects about 18 million people. It’s a form of arthritis where the immune symptom misfires and attacks healthy joint tissue. These attacks often happen in the smaller joints like the hands. RA affects women more often than men. 

Gout is a common form of arthritis caused by an abnormal buildup of uric acid in the body. You might feel gout pain in the big toe joint or elsewhere in the foot and ankle region. Gout usually flares up within a few hours with little warning, but you can control it with diet and exercise. 

How we diagnose arthritis 

We have a series of diagnostic tests to help diagnose arthritis symptoms, so we can prescribe the most appropriate treatment plan. These might include: 

• Lab tests 
• X-ray imaging
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 
• Ultrasound scan 

With a comprehensive physical exam and diagnostic testing, we can determine your arthritis type and recommend a more targeted treatment approach to slow disease progression, ease joint inflammation, reduce pain and stiffness, and improve your mobility. 

Treatment options for arthritis 

The sooner you get treatment for arthritis, the better. Many people find relief by managing their arthritis symptoms. Depending on your specific diagnosis, your treatment plan may include:

Physical therapy 

Movement keeps your joints lubricated. Physical therapy exercises can help improve your mobility by easing joint inflammation, pain, and stiffness. Low-impact exercises like swimming and walking are good habits for longer-term relief. 

NSAIDs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, can relieve painful arthritic symptoms. You may also benefit from NSAID creams, which you can rub directly onto a painful joint. 

DMARDs

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) can help reduce arthritis inflammation.

Acupuncture 

A tenet of traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture can trigger the release of natural pain relievers for sustained, drug-free pain relief. 

Stem cell injections 

Stem cells can shapeshift into different types of cells depending on what your body needs. Stem cell therapy removes some cells from your body, such as from fat tissue, extracts the stem cells, and reinserts the concentrated stem cells into another area, such as your painful joint area, to help rebuild tissue. 

Expert advice on arthritis management

These are just some of the many treatment options available to help slow arthritis progression and ease its symptoms. Along with lifestyle changes like weight loss, regular exercise, and making the switch to a heart-healthy, anti-inflammatory diet, there’s a lot you can do to keep the condition under control and maintain your quality of life. 

Remember, arthritis is most manageable when diagnosed early and addressed promptly. Our expert team at Spine & Pain Center of San Antonio in San Antonio and Live Oak, Texas, is here to help. Call or click online to schedule an appointment today.