Arthritis

Matt Gavin, MD

Orthopedics & Sports Medicine located in Leesburg, VA

Arthritis is the number one cause of disability in the United States, affecting over 50 million Americans. Matt Gavin, MD, is a skilled orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine physician in Leesburg, Virginia, who provides expert treatment for arthritis on a case-by-case basis. If you’re suffering from painful arthritis symptoms, call Dr. Gavin’s office to schedule an appointment today.

703-777-3262

Arthritis Q & A

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What is arthritis?

Arthritis is a painful condition that causes inflammation and stiffness in your joints. You can get arthritis in any joint in your body, including the shoulder, knee, hip, elbow, and ankle.

Over 100 different types of arthritis exist, but the two most commonly diagnosed types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis

The most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis involves damage to the cartilage that provides cushioning to your joints. This damage usually occurs from wear and tear and may lead to bone grinding on bone.

Rheumatoid arthritis

This type of arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes your body to attack the tissue that surrounds your joints. Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation and swelling in your joint that can eventually break down the cartilage and bone tissue.

What are the symptoms of arthritis?

The most common symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness that may restrict your movement. Other symptoms of arthritis include:

Swelling or redness in the affected joint
Decreased range of motion
Muscle weakness
Difficulty walking or performing daily activities

What causes arthritis?

Arthritis is an extremely common condition that affects men, women, and children. Certain factors may increase your risk of developing arthritis, such as:

Older age
Previous joint injury
Family history of arthritis
Obesity

How is arthritis treated?

First, Dr. Gavin evaluates your condition and performs a comprehensive physical exam during your initial consultation. Then, he discusses your best options for arthritis treatment based on your individual needs and the severity of your symptoms.

Treatment plans vary from person to person, but Dr. Gavin may recommend beginning with nonsurgical options such as anti-inflammatory medication or viscosupplementation injections.

Viscosupplementation, also known as hyaluronic acid injections, is a common treatment for knee osteoarthritis. This procedure focuses on relieving pain and improving knee movement by injecting hyaluronic acid into your joint fluid.

If your condition is severe or fails to improve with treatment, Dr. Gavin may recommend surgery. He’s a skilled orthopedic surgeon with expertise in total and partial knee replacement as well as arthroscopic surgeries.

If painful arthritis symptoms are keeping you from taking part in the activities you love, call Dr. Gavin’s office to schedule an appointment today.