Dr. Aziz Bhimani
Hip and Knee Surgeon
For appointments please call
Wollongong Orthopaedics
54 Princes Hwy West
e reception@wollongongorthopaedics.com.au
Dr Aziz Bhimani Hip and Knee Surgeon West Wollongong NSW
Arthritis is inflammation of one or more of your joints that causes pain and stiffness. While arthritis is mainly an adult disease, some forms affect children.
There are many types of arthritis. Some of these include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, septic arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis.
While each of these conditions has different causes, the symptoms and treatment are often the same. Pain, swelling, and stiffness are the primary symptoms of arthritis. Any joint in the body may be affected by the disease, but it is particularly common in weight-bearing joints such as the knee and hip.
Although there is no cure for arthritis, there are many treatment options available to help manage pain and keep patients staying active.
What causes arthritis?
Arthritis may be caused by wear and tear on the articular cartilage through the natural aging process (osteoarthritis), or may develop following an injury (post-traumatic arthritis).
Other types of arthritis, such as crystalline arthritis, may come from an inflammatory process.
Still others, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus arthritis, are the result of a systemic disease throughout the body.
Regardless of whether the cause is from injury, normal wear and tear, or disease, the joint becomes inflamed, causing swelling, pain and stiffness. Inflammation is one of the body's normal reactions to injury or disease. In arthritic joints, however, inflammation may cause long-lasting or permanent disability.
What is osteoarthritis?
The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis. Also known as "wear and tear" arthritis, osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions and protects the ends of your bones gradually wears away.
It results from overuse, trauma, or the natural degeneration of cartilage that occurs with aging.
Osteoarthritis is often more painful in joints that bear weight, such as the knee, hip, and spine. However, joints that are used extensively in work or sports, or joints that have been damaged by injury may show signs of osteoarthritis.
In many cases, bone growths called "spurs" develop at the edges of osteoarthritic joints. The bone can become hard and firm (sclerosis). The joint becomes inflamed, causing pain and swelling meaning continued use of the joint is painful.
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-lasting disease.
Rheumatoid arthritis affects many parts of the body, but mainly the joints. The body's immune system, which normally protects the body, begins to produce substances that attack the body. In rheumatoid arthritis, the joint lining swells, invade surrounding tissues. Chemical substances are produced that attack and destroy the joint surface.
Rheumatoid arthritis may affect both large and small joints in the body and also the spine. Swelling, pain, and stiffness usually develop, even when the joint is not used. In some circumstances, juvenile arthritis may cause similar symptoms in children.
What is post-traumatic arthritis?
What is septic arthritis?
What is psoriatic arthritis?
What is gouty arthritis?
Gouty arthritis develops as the result of uric acid build up in the bloodstream. The uric acid forms crystals which cause acute inflammation in a joint. The big toe, ankle, knee, and elbow are the most common joints affected. A gout attack can be acutely painful. The inflamed joint becomes red and very sensitive to touch. Gout attacks are most often treated with medicine rather than surgery. Long term, many patients develop soft tissue masses (tophi) over the affected joints.
What is Lyme arthritis?
What is Lupus arthritis?
What is Juvenile arthritis?
Juvenile arthritis is the most common type of arthritis in children. There are several types of the disease and most are different from rheumatoid arthritis in adults.
Limited ability to move the joint passively (with assistance) and actively (without assistance)
How is arthritis treated?
What are the non-surgical treatments of arthritis?
Prescription medications also are available.
Over-the-counter medications can be used to control pain and inflammation in the joints. These medications, called anti-inflammatory drugs, include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. Acetaminophen can be effective in controlling pain.Dr Bhimani will choose a medication by taking into account the type of arthritis, its severity, and your general physical health. Patients with ulcers, asthma, kidney, or liver disease, for example, may not be able to safely take anti-inflammatory medications.
Viscosupplementation or injection of hyaluronic acid preparations can also be helpful in lubricating the joint. This is typically performed in the knee.
Exercise and therapy
Canes, crutches, walkers, or splints may help relieve the stress and strain on arthritic joints. Learning methods of performing daily activities that are the less stressful to painful joints also may be helpful.
What are the surgical treatments of arthritis?
In general, Dr Bhimani will perform surgery for arthritis when other methods of nonsurgical treatment have failed to relieve pain and other symptoms. When deciding on the type of surgery, Dr Bhimani will take into account the type of arthritis, its severity, and your loss of normal function.
How is arthritis managed long-term?
In most cases, persons with arthritis can continue to perform normal activities of daily living. Exercise programs, anti-inflammatory drugs, and weight reduction for obese persons are common measures to reduce pain, stiffness, and improve function.
In persons with severe cases of arthritis, orthopaedic surgery can often provide dramatic pain relief and restore lost joint function.
Some types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, are often treated by a team of health care professionals. These professionals may include rheumatologists, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, rehabilitation specialists, and orthopaedic surgeons.
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