Each year, millions of individuals including young adults and seniors are affected with arthritis, causing them endure severe joint pain caused by swelling and inflammation of the joints. Southland Arthritis was established to treat patients in Riverside County and other areas with a wide variety of rheumatic diseases that have plagued patients in the area.
Our Riverside arthritis doctors seek to deliver the most comprehensive, up-to-date and caring medical services possible to effectively evaluate and manage the various types of arthritis disorders. There are over one hundred different types of arthritis, each with its own cause. And with symptoms ranging from the mildest to the more severe, no two patients suffer the same symptoms.
More about Arthritis
Arthritis is not one disease with one cause, but a collection of over 100 different rheumatic conditions, the most common of which is osteoarthritis. Other commonly occurring forms of arthritis include rheumatoid arthritis, gout, fibromyalgia, and lupus.
Common symptoms include pain, stiffness, swelling, and aching in or around the joints. Some forms of arthritis, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can affect a number of organs, resulting in widespread symptoms.
Although arthritis is more prevalent among adults over the age of 65 years, it can affect people of all ages, including children. An estimated two-thirds of people with arthritis are below 65 years. The condition is also more common among women (24.4%) than men (18.1%) in every age group, and has an effect on people across all races and ethnicities.
Why arthritis is a public health concern
It is estimated that 1 in every 5 US adults, or 46 million people report doctor-diagnosed arthritis. These numbers are expected to increase significantly as the population ages, and are projected to reach 67 million by 2030, resulting in limited activity for about one-third of these adults. Additionally, a recent study revealed that there is a form of arthritis that affects 1 in every 250 children.
Some of the implications of arthritis include:
* Disability - Arthritis is the nation's biggest cause of disability, with an estimated 19 million adults reporting activity limitations due to arthritis each year. 5 percent of the affected adults are unable to work, while 33 percent have arthritis-attributable work limitations.
* High lifetime risk - A recent study revealed the lifetime risk of developing knee osteoarthritis that is severe enough to cause pain is 45 percent, but increases to 57 percent among individuals with past knee injury and obesity.
* High costs - Arthritis results in over 1 million hospitalizations and 50 million outpatient visits each year, resulting in over $100 billion in direct costs (medical expenses) and $50 billion in indirect costs (lost earnings).
* Risky complications - People with arthritis find it hard to be physically active, which increases the risk for chronic diseases. More than 50 percent of patients with heart disease or diabetes have arthritis. While exercise is important, studies show that the pain, fear of pain, fear of worsening the symptoms or damaging the joints, and lack of information on how to exercise safely are the main things that keep patients from exercising.
Managing arthritis
While arthritis is not curable, our Riverside arthritis doctors can administer treatments to reduce pain and swelling so patients can live better lives. The treatment plan for each patient depends on the severity of their diagnosis.