21 Mar Do You Live with Hand Arthritis? Try A PRP Injection
Arthritis has the tendency to stand in the way of being able to carry out normal functions. Debilitating pain is one of many symptoms that can affect what you can do daily. There is a lot about arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis that people may not know regarding their health situation. But what we do know at Premiere Chiro is there are medicinal options to reduce pain and increase functionality. As trusted chiropractors in El Segundo we offer a range of options to choose from.
What Is Arthritis?
Arthritis is when there is inflammation in your joints that causes you to feel pain, swelling and stiffness. Depending on location it can limit your mobility. The most common types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
RA differs from osteoarthritis because it is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease that mistakenly attacks your immune system’s healthy cells. It causes painful swelling in specific affected areas. Normally it is harming your joints.
Symptoms
There is no cure to permanently treat arthritis, but treatments can slow progression and cut severe pain. A few symptoms you might experience, or get diagnosed with are:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Changes in appearance
- Swollen joints
- Warmth near joints
- Crepitation and Looseness near joints
- Cysts
Try Platelet Rich Plasma Treatments
If you are looking for a platelet rich plasma treatment (PRP) option in El Segundo look no further.
These treatments are meant to stimulate the tissue of the affected area. To start the process of creating a customized injection is taking the patient’s blood and placing it in a centrifuge to separate cells. When the platelets are separated it will be injected into the inflamed joints on your hand to dial back discomfort levels. Keep in mind it all depends on how far the arthritis has progressed over the years, how many joints you need treated, your age, medical history, and activity levels.
Alternative Treatment Options to Improve Functionality
There are a range of options to improve functionality between taking pain-relief medications, physical therapy, and injections.
Exercising your joints can reduce pain and help you gain more control over its range of motion. Healthy joints have tissue called articular cartilage. It covers the ends of the bone and has the appearance of a smooth surface. Though you may have healthy joints, arthritis will inflame the area.
Before considering invasive or non-invasive treatment, most people go through hand therapy. It is a type of rehabilitation performed by an occupational or physical therapist. They are well-versed with conditions specific to the hand – and surrounding areas including the arm and shoulder. Depending on the severity it can be beneficial.
A hand therapist often recommends key exercises to practice in the office and at home. Keep in mind that movements should be done well within your limits and you should avoid straining your joints. It can lead to more damage. If you have pressure or inflammation in surrounding areas, we offer physical therapy treatments to eliminate pain and stress. As there is no cure for arthritis, you can also try using hot and cold compresses after strenuous use in the meantime.