Arthritis in Knoxville
In a bid to provide you with an in-depth understanding of arthritis, we’ve compiled comprehensive information regarding what arthritis is, its causes, symptoms, and how a professional physical therapist can help in treatment and management. At our Physical Therapy Clinic, we prioritize your wellness and are dedicated to offering tailored therapy solutions to alleviate your discomfort and improve your mobility.
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What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is an umbrella term used to describe conditions affecting the joints and surrounding tissues. The two most common types are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). OA tends to occur with aging or after a joint injury and predominantly affects the fingers, knees, and hips. On the other hand, RA is an autoimmune disorder that primarily targets the lining of the joints, leading to painful swelling, which can eventually result in joint deformity.
What Causes Arthritis?
The causes of arthritis vary significantly depending on the type. Here’s a breakdown:
- Osteoarthritis: The cartilage – a firm but flexible connective tissue in your joints, that wears away with age or due to injury, causing the bones to rub together, leading to osteoarthritis.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: This type is caused by an autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, affecting the joint linings and causing painful swelling.
Other factors such as genetics, obesity, infections, or occupational hazards may also contribute to the onset or exacerbation of arthritis conditions.
What Are The Symptoms of Arthritis?
The symptoms of arthritis may vary from mild to severe and may include:
- Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling.
- Decreased range of motion.
- Redness and warmth around the joint area.
- In severe cases, joints may appear deformed.
It’s crucial to consult with healthcare professionals if you’re experiencing persistent symptoms of arthritis to get an accurate diagnosis and timely intervention.
What is The Treatment for Arthritis?
While there is no cure for arthritis, an effective treatment plan can significantly alleviate pain, improve joint function, and slow the progression of the disease. Treatment may include:
- Medication for pain relief and to reduce inflammation.
- Physical therapy to maintain joint flexibility and strength.
Occupational therapy to learn how to perform daily activities without stressing your joints.
In severe cases, surgical procedures like joint replacement or joint fusion may be necessary.
What Can a Physical Therapist Do for Me?
Physical therapists are invaluable in providing relief and promoting optimal function of the body. Here’s how they can help:
- Customized Exercise Programs: Designing exercises aimed at strengthening muscles, increasing flexibility, and improving range of motion.
- Pain Management: Utilizing various modalities like heat or cold therapy, ultrasound, or electrical stimulation to alleviate joint pain.
- Education: Teaching you about joint protection techniques, ergonomic principles, and adaptive strategies to prevent further joint damage and improve your performance in daily activities.
- Manual Therapy: Performing hands-on techniques to mobilize joints and soft tissues, reducing stiffness and pain.
- Assistive Devices: Recommending and educating on the use of adaptive equipment to help in daily tasks and to promote independence.
Ready for Relief? Call Us Today!
Don’t let arthritis slow you down. Take a proactive step towards better health and mobility by scheduling an appointment with our experienced therapists. At our Physical Therapy Clinic, we are committed to delivering personalized care aimed at meeting your unique needs and enhancing your quality of life. Call us today at (865) 236-0340 to schedule your initial consultation and take the first step towards a pain-free life.
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Sally Smith
On a snowy Saturday morning in February 2020 I went to a seminar on shoulder pain and relief of pain without rotator cuff surgery. My husband was in his 5th month of rotator cuff surgery recovery at the time, and I didn’t want to go through what he was doing and he still had pain. After an evaluation, Danny Winningham became my therapist and quickly discovered that much of my shoulder pain was caused by terrible posture and he worked with me on that and made a believer out of me. Now in August, after Marino Therapy having to close for a while due to Covid, I am pain free. Had a couple set backs along the way–wrestling a watermelon out of bottom of the bin, and playing corn hole with my grandson got it fired up again and lost some ground. But continued to work with Danny and he was so knowledgeable about what caused the pain and patient with me testing my limits. I would recommend Marino Physio Therapy–thay can work on problem from head to toe. They are very professional, but it is an enjoyable group to work with. They are different from other physical therapists that I have had in that they are hands on with the patient for most of your appointment time. They son’t just give you an exercise to do, tell you to do 20 and, move on to another patient or paperwork. I don’t see surgery in my future and that was my goal. I am no spring chicken–72 years old and they are now my go-to physiology-therapists.
Joni DiPatri
Just wanted to say a ‘Big Thank You!’ to Alaina and staff for working with me. I started with a lot of pain from a dislocated shoulder and have regained most of my movement and am relatively pain free. The hands on therapy, exercises, machines, and lots of positive feedback make this journey a good one. I would recommend this business to anyone who needs physical therapy!!