Pain and inflammation in the feet, hands, hips or knees may be symptoms of arthritis. A disease affecting the joints, arthritis predominantly develops in older people. However, arthritis can affect anyone of any age. A healthcare provider should be consulted to confirm an arthritis diagnosis.

What is arthritis?

When inflammation and degeneration of the joints occur, arthritis is often the culprit. In a person who has arthritis, using these joints can result in pain. Several areas of the body are susceptible to arthritis, including the lower back, knees, hands, ankles and shoulders.

Arthritis causes a breakdown of the joints (the joints are where the bones meet). Soft tissues in the joints prevent the bones from rubbing against each other. Articular cartilage, a connective tissue, enables the joints to move without friction and pain.

Over the years, an individual’s cartilage may wear down or inflammation in the joint may occur. The shock-absorbing cartilage that cushions the bones is no longer able to perform normally. Without adequate cushioning, the joints become harder to move, and arthritis subsequently develops.

What are symptoms of arthritis?

One of the first signs of arthritis is pain (the medical term is arthralgia). The pain begins after a particular joint undergoes strenuous use, such as after raking leaves or walking up stairs. A burning sensation, soreness in the morning or a dull ache are characteristic of arthritic pain.

Joints may swell when pain occurs. Swelling is often painful and contributes to restricted movement. Increased synovial fluid in the joint is responsible for causing the swelling. As mentioned, synovial fluid cushions a normal joint; too much synovial fluid is associated with arthritis.

Joint discomfort may be sporadic, or the joint pain may be constant. In different individuals, arthritic pain may be either mild or severe. Symptoms vary amongst the different types of arthritis. Besides pain and swelling, seniors may experience stiffness, redness, warmth and tenderness.

When should a senior see a doctor?

In the event pain occurs when touching a joint or the senior has problems moving a joint normally, a visit to a rheumatologist or physician is recommended. Seeing the doctor is especially important if the symptoms persist for two weeks or longer.

A doctor will determine whether or not the senior’s symptoms are due to arthritis. A physical exam may include assessing the range of mobility in the joints, inspecting the joint areas for swelling or conducting an overall evaluation to see if a different disease is causing the symptoms.

Imaging exams, such as an MRI, X-ray or ultrasound, give the physician a clear visual of the bones, joints and soft tissues. These exams can reveal the breakdown of cartilage around the joints, inflammation of soft tissue and tendon injuries near the joints.

What are the most common types of arthritis?

Upon the physical evaluation, a doctor can pinpoint what type of arthritis affects the senior. The most common type of arthritis in the elderly is osteoarthritis. Cartilage wears away in osteoarthritis. Large, weightbearing joints, like the hips, knees and lower back, are most commonly affected.

Joints in the fingers and toes may also become painful when osteoarthritis develops. The senior’s arthritic joints feel stiff and sore. The discomfort mostly occurs when the joints have remained out of use, such as while sleeping, and the senior wakes up in the morning with pain.

A type of arthritis that primarily affects females is rheumatoid arthritis. An autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis leads to inflammation of the joints. The resulting pain, swelling and stiffness can be felt for hours and simultaneously affect several joints. Immobility of an affected joint may occur.

What are treatment options for arthritis?

Since arthritis does not have a cure, people living with the disease must manage their symptoms for the rest of their lives. A healthcare plan is largely determined by the severity of the arthritis. Nonsurgical treatments include anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy and therapeutic injections.

Pain medications relieve rheumatoid arthritis symptoms by targeting the immune system’s inflammatory response. Physical therapy is designed to be rehabilitative, helping the senior improve range of motion and develop physical strength. Injections introduce lubricants, allowing the joints to move smoothly.

Arthritis is a progressive disease and gradually worsens over time. Seniors, however, can lower their risk of developing arthritis by making lifestyle adjustments, such as maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco and exercising regularly. Low-impact, non-weightbearing exercises are especially helpful.

Walking and swimming, for example, ensure the joints surrounding the joints remain strong and help the joints stay in motion. Dancing and yoga relieve stiffness. Strong muscles protect the joints, which makes strength training essential. Aerobic exercises, like bicycling, reduce swelling in certain joints.

Seniors who feel arthritis symptoms developing can ease pain by taking a warm bath, swimming in a heated pool or applying either heat or cold. When older adults need help with drawing a bath or transportation to an indoor pool, professional caregivers are an invaluable resource.

What To Do When Treatment Doesn’t Work

Fifty million Americans live with some form of arthritis. If your elderly loved one starts to experience pain and inflammation, arthritis may be to blame. Whether arthritic symptoms are mild or severe, seniors will benefit from compassionate, in-home support from Assisting Hands Home Care.

We are a recognized leader in senior care. As a reputable home care agency, Assisting Hands Home Care provides high-quality support to the elderly. Core responsibilities include help with personal hygiene, meal preparation, transportation, light housekeeping, mobility assistance and pleasant companionship.

Professional caregivers are available to transport seniors to occupational therapy appointments so they learn how to lessen arthritic pain or to senior centers for yoga. When seniors are prescribed medications for arthritis symptoms, we ensure they take the right medicines at the right doses and on schedule.

Assisting Hands Home Care is your go-to resource for all nonmedical senior support. Our home care services are flexible and customized to meet unique needs. We are privileged to support the senior populations living in Palos Heights, Illinois. Call us to schedule a complimentary in-home consultation.