Arthritis

hand-pain

How can you tell if you’re developing arthritis? What are the types and causes?

Many people think they may have arthritis, but they don’t talk about it with their doctors. Often older adults with joint pain accept it as a part of the aging process. Younger individuals with joint pain, swelling, and stiffness might not consider that arthritis could be the cause of their discomfort.

No matter your age, practicing good joint health is important. If you believe you may be suffering from arthritis, it is best to discuss it as soon as possible with an orthopedic specialist who can work with you to maintain a good quality of life.

Did you know that there are more than 100 types of arthritis and related symptoms? The affliction can manifest in many ways. It can come on gradually and be mild, or it can begin suddenly and cause intense pain. In addition to joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, arthritis may present itself as fatigue or even as a rash.

The most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and gout.

Osteoarthritis is also known as “wear and tear” arthritis and is the most common form of the condition. If you have osteoarthritis, it’s likely that your joint cartilage has broken down over time and you are experiencing joint pain and stiffness. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that impacts the joints. Psoriatic arthritis is also an autoimmune disease that can trigger inflammation, joint pain, stiffness, and red, scaly patches called plaques. Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that causes pain in the nerves throughout the body; individuals with rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to develop fibromyalgia. Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis characterized by recurrent attacks of a red, tender, hot, and swollen joints; gout pain typically comes on rapidly.

Treatments for arthritis include medication, natural therapies such as hot and cold compresses, electrical stimulation and massage, supplements and herbs, vitamins and minerals, and in some cases, joint surgery.

Start by making an appointment with an orthopedic specialist to talk with your doctor and see whether your symptoms may be attributable to a form of arthritis.

Signature Medical Group’s practitioners are board-certified orthopedic surgeons whose expertise, experience, and leadership in their profession translate into exceptional medical care and treatment for you.

If you live in St. Louis or Kansas City and would like to know more about treatment for arthritis, make an appointment for an evaluation with one of our board-certified orthopedic specialists today.

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Doctors

Listed below are Signature Medical Group physicians who diagnose and treat this condition.

Aleksander C. Ferbet, DPM

Aleksander C. Ferbet

St. Louis, MO

  • Podiatry
  • Foot and Ankle

Mark S. Box, MD

Mark S. Box

Kansas City, MO

  • Rheumatology

Robert G. Medler, MD

Robert G. Medler

St. Louis, MO

  • Orthopedics
  • Foot and Ankle
  • Hip and Knee
  • Joint Replacement
  • Pediatric Orthopedics
  • Shoulder and Elbow
  • Sports Medicine
  • Trauma

Robert H. Sigmund, MD

Robert H. Sigmund

St. Louis, MO

  • Orthopedics
  • Hip and Knee
  • Joint Replacement
  • Sports Medicine

R. Peter Mirkin, MD

R. Peter Mirkin

St. Louis, MO

  • Orthopedics
  • Spine

William W. Behrens, Jr., MD

William W. Behrens, Jr.

St. Louis, MO

  • Orthopedics
  • Hip and Knee
  • Joint Replacement

Alexander J. Heck, MD

Alexander J. Heck

Fenton, MO

  • Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
  • Pain Management
  • Spine

Robert P. Bruce, MD

Robert P. Bruce

Overland Park, KS

  • Orthopedics
  • Hip and Knee
  • Joint Replacement
  • Shoulder and Elbow
  • Sports Medicine

Kenneth (Buck) S. Smith, MD

Kenneth (Buck) S. Smith

St. Louis, MO

  • Orthopedics
  • Foot and Ankle
  • Sports Medicine
  • Trauma

Ashok Kumar, MD

Ashok Kumar

St. Louis, MO

  • Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
  • Spine

Stephen V. Hiatt, MD

Stephen V. Hiatt

Overland Park, KS

  • Orthopedics
  • Hand and Wrist
  • Shoulder and Elbow

Atul T. Patel, MD

Atul T. Patel

Overland Park, KS

  • Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

John S. Bleazard, DO

John S. Bleazard

Overland Park, KS

  • Orthopedics
  • Foot and Ankle
  • Hip and Knee
  • Joint Replacement

Nathanael S. Olson, DO

Nathanael S. Olson

St. Louis, MO

  • Hand and Wrist
  • Orthopedics

J. Clinton Walker, MD

J. Clinton Walker

Overland Park, KS

  • Orthopedics
  • Hand and Wrist
  • Shoulder and Elbow

Suzanne G. Elton, MD

Suzanne G. Elton

Overland Park, KS

  • Orthopedics
  • Hand and Wrist
  • Shoulder and Elbow

Amy M. Zippay, MD

Amy M. Zippay

St. Louis, MO

  • Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
  • Spine
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Locations

Signature Orthopedics South County

Signature Orthopedics South County
12639 Old Tesson Road
Suites 100 and 115
St. Louis, MO 63128
Get directions
314-849-0311

Signature Orthopedics Tesson Ferry Spine

Signature Orthopedics Tesson Ferry Spine
12122 Tesson Ferry Road
Suite 100
St. Louis, MO 63128
Get directions
314-849-0808

Kansas City Bone & Joint Clinic Lee’s Summit

Kansas City Bone & Joint Clinic Lee’s Summit
3151 NE Carnegie Drive
Suite B
Lee's Summit, MO 64064
Get directions
913-381-5225

Carondelet Rheumatology

Carondelet Rheumatology
1010 Carondelet Dr
#224A
Kansas City, MO 64114
Get directions
913-563-6644

Signature Orthopedics Chesterfield

Signature Orthopedics Chesterfield
121 St. Luke’s Center Drive
Building A, Suite 302
Chesterfield, MO 63017
Get directions
314-849-0311

Signature Orthopedics Fenton

Signature Orthopedics Fenton
1011 Bowles Avenue
Suite 100
Fenton, MO 63026
Get directions
314-849-0311

Kansas City Bone & Joint Clinic

Kansas City Bone & Joint Clinic
10701 Nall Avenue
Suite 200
Overland Park, KS 66211
Get directions
913-381-5225