Arthritis Specialist
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Mitchell R. Klement, MD
Orthopaedic Surgeon located in Pewaukee, WI
Arthritis can strike people of all ages and backgrounds, and there are over 100 types of arthritis that could affect you at some point in your life. If you’re experiencing joint pain, Mitchell Klement, MD, of Orthopaedic Associates of Wisconsin in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, is there to help. Dr. Klement is a specialized hip and knee surgeon and has considerable expertise in helping patients manage their arthritis with carefully crafted treatment plans. Call Orthopaedic Associates of Wisconsin to schedule a consultation or book an appointment online today.
Arthritis Q & A
What is arthritis?
There are many types of arthritis, over 100 in fact, which despite their differences all share the same primary symptoms, which are pain, inflammation, and stiffness in the joints.
Some forms of arthritis are rare, but osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, is rather common. Osteoarthritis develops due to wear-and-tear on your joints over many years. It most often affects older people, but it can also be a problem for young people, especially if you overuse your joints, accelerating the process.
The cumulative effects of wear-and-tear can cause the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones to deteriorate and erode. Without this protection, the ends of your bones can rub against one another, which causes pain and inflammation.
Other types of arthritis that affect high numbers of people each year include:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Gout
- Septic arthritis
These and other forms of arthritis all have different causes, so it’s important to know which type of arthritis you have to receive the most effective treatment.
What are the symptoms of arthritis?
If one or more of your joints are stiff, painful, or limited in their range of motion, you may have arthritis. You can develop arthritis in any joint in your body.
To determine if you have arthritis, your provider conducts a physical evaluation, discusses your lifestyle habits, reviews any prior imaging studies, and may perform a diagnostic ultrasound evaluation.
Can my arthritis be cured?
Arthritis is currently incurable, and if left untreated, most forms of arthritis worsen over time. At Orthopaedic Associates of Wisconsin, the team offers a range of effective treatments for patients that can delay the disease’s progression, reduce pain, and restore your mobility.
Treating arthritis successfully starts with making lifestyle modifications since carrying extra weight can put added strain on your joints, and habits like smoking can affect your healing capabilities, blood supply, and tissue health.
Eating a healthy, nutritious diet, maintaining an active lifestyle, and finding ways to manage stress are all fundamental to improving your overall health and reducing the impact of arthritis.
What treatments are available for arthritis?
In addition to caring for yourself and practicing a healthy lifestyle, you can also help reduce the effects of arthritis using pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapies.
The team at Orthopaedic Associates of Wisconsin works with you to create a treatment plan that includes medication management and a variety of physical therapies, as well as treatments such as:
- Ultrasound
- Heat or cold therapy
- Manipulation
- Joint injections
- Nerve blocks
If these approaches are no longer effective in your case, then partial or total joint replacement surgery is an option you can discuss with Dr. Klement.
Call Orthopaedic Associates of Wisconsin if you have painful joints, or book an appointment using the online booking tool today.