Is Arthritis Inevitable as I Get Older?

You may hear older people complaining about the pain of arthritis. However, it’s a common misconception that everyone will get arthritis as they age.

At New Tampa Interventional Pain & Sports Medicine, experienced pain management physician Jose De La Torre, MD, and our team offer solutions for those who do suffer from chronic arthritis pain. We can also provide you with educational resources, so you can take action now to lower your risk for developing arthritis as you get older.

The link between arthritis and aging

There are over 100 types of arthritis, and almost as many factors influence your risk for developing this type of disease.

One type of arthritis in which age plays a role in its development is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis describes the breakdown of the protective cartilage that lines the ends of the bones in your joints. This allows the bones to rub together, creating friction, inflammation, and chronic pain.

Though age is a contributing factor to osteoarthritis, it isn’t the only one. Your risk factors for this type of arthritis can increase because of:

• Family history
• Weight challenges
• Sports participation
• History of joint injuries
• Repetitive movements at work

Other types of arthritis can be the result of immune system disorders, infections, smoking, or gender.

How to stay ahead of arthritis

Although there are some risk factors for arthritis that you can’t change, there are a number of things you can do now to lower your risk for developing osteoarthritis and other types of arthritis as you age.

One of the most important things you can do for yourself is to get daily exercise. We recommend getting at least 30 minutes of exercise every day so that you can keep your joints - and the muscles that support them – healthy.

You also need to follow a healthy diet and ensure you give your body the vitamins and nutrients it needs to stay healthy. Focus on eating more healthy produce and limiting your use of sugars, processed foods, and alcohol.

Both diet and exercise are also important for managing your weight. If you’re overweight or obese, you’re putting extra pressure on your joints that can lead to chronic inflammation and pain from osteoarthritis.

Managing existing arthritis pain without surgery

If you’re already experiencing persistent joint pain from arthritis, Dr. De La Torre can help you manage it with one or more nonsurgical treatments. We offer several therapies to treat arthritis pain when over-the-counter or prescription medications aren’t working well.

Dr. De La Torre and our team specialize in joint injections that deliver anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medications directly into the affected joint. We use the assistance of fluoroscopy, a real-time X-ray technology that helps deliver medications into a precise location within your joint.

You may also benefit from procedures like radiofrequency nerve ablation if your pain is caused by joint inflammation that puts pressure on nearby nerves.

We customize the right treatment plan for the type of arthritis you have and the severity of your pain, so you can find fast and long-lasting pain relief. We can also refer you for physical therapy to restore function in your joint and lower your risk for further arthritis complications.

Call New Tampa Interventional Pain & Sports Medicine in Wesley Chapel, Florida, today to schedule an appointment for arthritis pain, or book an appointment online.