Arthritis Care
Comprehensive management of joint inflammation and arthritis.
Arthritis is a broad term covering more than a hundred different conditions that cause joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, ranging from wear-and-tear osteoarthritis to autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. Comprehensive arthritis care starts with correctly identifying which type of arthritis is present, since the underlying cause fundamentally changes the treatment approach, monitoring needs, and long-term outlook.
Types
Osteoarthritis
Wear-and-tear arthritis from cartilage breakdown, the most common form, typically affecting weight-bearing joints.
Inflammatory Arthritis
A group including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, driven by the immune system attacking joint tissue.
Crystal-Induced Arthritis
Arthritis caused by crystal deposits within the joint, such as gout.
Post-Traumatic Arthritis
Arthritis developing in a joint following a previous significant injury or fracture.
Common Causes
The underlying cause of arthritis varies enormously by type, ranging from mechanical joint wear to the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy joint tissue.
- Age-related cartilage wear, the primary driver of osteoarthritis.
- Autoimmune activity, where the body's immune system attacks the joint lining, as in rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis.
- Crystal deposits within the joint, causing sudden, intense flares as seen in gout.
- Previous joint injury or fracture altering normal joint mechanics over time.
- Genetic predisposition, which plays a role in several inflammatory arthritis types.
Signs and Symptoms
- Joint pain that varies from a dull ache to sharp, intense flares
- Swelling and warmth around the affected joint
- Morning stiffness, which can range from brief to prolonged depending on the type
- Reduced range of motion in the affected joint
- Fatigue, particularly common in autoimmune forms of arthritis
Diagnosis
Diagnosis begins with identifying the pattern of joint involvement, combined with blood tests to check for markers of autoimmune or inflammatory activity, and X-rays or other imaging to assess joint damage. Getting the specific type of arthritis right is the most important step, since treatment differs significantly between them.
Treatment Approach
Management is tailored to the specific type of arthritis identified - osteoarthritis is generally managed with activity modification, physiotherapy, and pain relief, while inflammatory forms often need disease-modifying medication to control the underlying immune activity. Dr. K. G. Gopalakrishna works to identify the exact type of arthritis present before building a management plan suited to that specific condition.
Please note: This page is for general information only and does not replace a proper medical evaluation. Every case is different, and the underlying cause of your symptoms may not match what is described here. Please do not use this page to self-diagnose - consult Dr. K. G. Gopalakrishna or another qualified orthopaedic specialist for an accurate diagnosis specific to you.
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Last reviewed: August 2026