Arthritis, or inflammation of the joints, is a serious health condition that limits a person’s ability to perform daily tasks and can interfere with their emotional wellbeing, their social life, and their ability to hold a steady job. Arthritis is one of the leading causes of disability in America, affecting more than 50 million adults and 300,000 children. Of the more than one hundred types of arthritis and arthritis-related diseases, the most common include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, fibromyalgia, and gout. Research has shown that adults in rural areas are more likely to be affected by arthritis than adults in urban areas.
Primary Care
Those affected with arthritis can often self-manage their symptoms by practicing proper self-care and making healthy lifestyle choices. Your Amberwell primary care provider will work with you to develop a plan of action for your joint pain that includes eating a balanced diet full of anti-inflammatory foods that are rich in antioxidants to help control inflammation. Your provider will also offer guidance on the best exercises you can do on your own to relieve joint pain. Exercise, especially walking, can have a number of positive effects on the body, such as strengthening the muscles that support painful joints, boosting mood, and helping shed excess pounds that add stress to joints.
If your arthritis pain becomes too severe to self-manage, your primary care provider will refer you to either our physical therapy or occupational therapy team. Amberwell Atchison’s talented teams of therapists work one-on-one with each patient to design an individualized exercise program to help improve mobility and restore the use of affected joints. Their goal is to reserve patients’ ability to perform daily tasks and to participate in the activities they enjoy.
Arthritis Pain Management
For patients whose arthritis pain does not respond to self-management or physical therapy, the Amberwell anesthesia services team at Amberwell Atchison offers a variety of treatments that assist patients in reducing arthritic pain. Our dedicated and knowledgeable anesthesia team works with patients to find long-term pain relief and improve joint function so that patients can return to work, participate in sports, and enjoy a better overall quality of life. Our team offers advanced image-guided injections that utilize leading technology to include fluoroscopy and ultrasound. Ultrasound technology is a non-invasive method that can significantly improve the success of interventional treatments and other orthopedic and spine procedures.
Orthopedic Care
When arthritis pain cannot be relieved with non-surgical treatments like self-management, exercise, and medication, it may be time to consider joint surgery. Amberwell Atchison and Amberwell Leavenworth Clinic have an excellent surgical care team led by Dr. Brian Duncan. He often performs joint surgeries that can offer several benefits to those suffering with arthritis like the relief of constant pain, improved movement, and regaining full use of the joint.
