Arthritis and Joint Pain
Arthritis and Joint Pain Treatment
Arthritis and joint pain can make it difficult to walk, climb stairs, exercise, work, sleep, or perform normal daily activities. Joint pain may affect one area of the body or multiple joints and can range from mild stiffness to severe pain that limits mobility and quality of life.
At Suwanee Orthopedic Care, Dr. Nader C. Ghazal evaluates many common causes of arthritis and joint pain, including osteoarthritis, inflammation, cartilage wear, joint degeneration, overuse, injury-related joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and chronic or recurring orthopedic discomfort.
Our office offers same-day appointments, walk-in availability, and on-site X-rays when needed, helping many patients receive answers and care recommendations in one convenient visit.
Understanding Arthritis and Joint Pain
Arthritis refers to inflammation, irritation, or degeneration within a joint. One of the most common types is osteoarthritis, which is often related to cartilage wear and joint changes over time. As cartilage becomes irritated or worn down, patients may experience pain, stiffness, swelling, grinding, reduced range of motion, or difficulty using the affected joint.
Joint pain may occur in many areas of the body, including the knees, hips, shoulders, hands, wrists, elbows, ankles, feet, back, and neck. Symptoms may affect one joint, known as localized joint pain, or multiple joints, known as widespread or multi-joint pain.
Not all joint pain is caused by arthritis. Pain may also come from tendons, ligaments, bursae, muscles, prior injuries, overuse, or other orthopedic conditions. A proper evaluation can help determine whether symptoms are related to arthritis, inflammation, injury, or another source of pain.
When Should You See a Doctor for Arthritis or Joint Pain?
You should consider being evaluated if you are experiencing:
- Persistent or worsening joint pain
- Joint stiffness, especially after rest or in the morning
- Swelling, warmth, or inflammation around a joint
- Pain with walking, stairs, lifting, gripping, bending, or exercise
- Grinding, popping, clicking, or catching
- Limited range of motion
- Difficulty standing, walking, reaching, lifting, or using the affected joint
- Pain that interferes with work, sleep, exercise, or daily activity
- Recurring joint pain that keeps returning
- Joint pain after a prior injury
- Concern for arthritis, cartilage wear, or joint degeneration
- Symptoms that are no longer improving with rest or over-the-counter care
On-Site X-Rays for Arthritis and Joint Pain
When appropriate, Suwanee Orthopedic Care can perform on-site X-rays to help evaluate arthritis and joint pain. X-rays may help identify joint space narrowing, bone spurs, arthritis, alignment changes, fractures, calcifications, and other orthopedic concerns.
Having X-rays available in the office allows many patients to get a clearer understanding of their condition without unnecessary delays.
CONDITIONS WE TREAT
Common Arthritis and Joint Pain Conditions We Evaluate
Arthritis and joint pain can develop from wear and tear, inflammation, overuse, prior injury, aging, sports activity, or repetitive stress. Dr. Ghazal evaluates many arthritis and joint pain concerns, including:
✓ Osteoarthritis
✓ Knee arthritis
✓ Hip arthritis
✓ Shoulder arthritis
✓ Hand and wrist arthritis
✓ Foot and ankle arthritis
✓ Back and neck arthritis
✓ Joint inflammation
✓ Cartilage wear and joint degeneration
✓ Bone spurs
✓ Joint space narrowing
✓ Swelling and stiffness
✓ Limited range of motion
✓ Pain with walking, stairs, lifting, or gripping
✓ Chronic or recurring joint pain
✓ Arthritis after prior injury
✓ Multi-joint pain concerns
Arthritis Pain, Stiffness, and Loss of Mobility
Many patients with arthritis or joint pain notice symptoms during daily activities, such as walking, climbing stairs, standing from a chair, lifting, reaching, gripping, exercising, or getting out of bed in the morning.
Arthritis may cause stiffness after rest, pain that worsens with activity, swelling after use, grinding or clicking, and a gradual loss of motion or function. Because symptoms can progress over time, orthopedic evaluation can help identify the severity of joint changes and guide the next appropriate step.
Joint Pain Is Not Always Arthritis
Although arthritis is a common cause of joint pain, not every painful joint is arthritic. Tendonitis, bursitis, ligament injuries, muscle strains, nerve irritation, fractures, and overuse injuries can sometimes cause symptoms that feel similar to arthritis.
Dr. Ghazal evaluates the affected joint, reviews your symptoms, examines motion and function, and uses imaging when needed to help determine the likely source of pain.
What to Expect During an Arthritis or Joint Pain Visit
During your visit, Dr. Ghazal will review your symptoms, how long the pain has been present, whether the pain is affecting one joint or multiple joints, and which activities make symptoms better or worse. He will examine the affected area, assess range of motion, tenderness, swelling, strength, stability, and function, and determine whether X-rays or additional imaging may be needed.
Because every arthritis and joint pain condition is different, recommendations depend on your diagnosis, exam findings, imaging results, medical history, activity level, severity of symptoms, and recovery goals.
Our goal is to help identify the cause of your joint pain, explain your condition clearly, and recommend the next appropriate step for care.
Same-Day Arthritis and Joint Pain Care in Suwanee, GA
Suwanee Orthopedic Care provides arthritis and joint pain evaluation for patients in Suwanee and surrounding communities, including Duluth,
Johns Creek, Sugar Hill, Buford, Lawrenceville, and the greater Atlanta metro area.
If arthritis or joint pain is limiting your ability to walk, move, work, sleep, exercise, or perform daily activities, our office can help evaluate your symptoms and discuss care options.
Call today or visit our office for same-day arthritis and joint pain care when available.
Need orthopedic care today?
Call now or book an appointment online. Walk-ins are welcome.