Arthritis and Joint Pain Specialist

More than 54 million American adults have arthritis, many of them with joint pain severe enough to limit their daily activities. In Glendale, California, orthopedic surgeon Sevag Bastian, MD, provides high-quality, patient-centered care for arthritis and joint pain. If you have joint pain that may be due to arthritis, call the office or schedule an appointment online today. 

What is the connection between arthritis and joint pain?

A common cause of joint pain is arthritis, which is inflammation of one or more of your joints. This inflammation causes pain and stiffness in the affected joints. 

There are many types of arthritis, each of which has a different cause. However, the symptoms are usually the same: 

• Joint pain
• Swelling
• Restricted range of motion

Severe joint pain can prevent you from exercising and make daily activities like climbing the stairs painful and difficult. 

Although most people with arthritis are adults, this condition also affects children. Dr. Bastian diagnoses and treats all types of arthritis and joint pain in patients of all ages, from four to over 65. He’s committed to helping patients improve their quality of life with the most conservative treatments possible. 

What are the types of arthritis?

Dr. Bastian treats various types of arthritis. The most common forms of arthritis are:

Osteoarthritis

Also known as wear-and-tear arthritis, osteoarthritis is the most common type. This condition occurs when the cartilage that protects the ends of your bones at a joint wears down, causing the bones to rub against one another. 

Osteoarthritis often affects weight-bearing joints like the knee, hip, and spine. Overusing a joint in work or sports or having a previous injury also increases your risk of osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease that attacks the tissue lining your joint capsule. Eventually, this disease can also destroy the cartilage and bone in a joint.

Other types of arthritis include post-traumatic arthritis, juvenile arthritis, septic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, and gout.

How are arthritis and joint pain diagnosed and treated?

First, Dr. Bastian thoroughly reviews your symptoms and medical history. He may take tests, such as blood tests, X-rays, or diagnostic ultrasound. These tests help him determine the type of arthritis you have and rule out other causes of joint pain, like fractures.

Then, he creates an individualized treatment plan. There’s no cure for arthritis, so treatment focuses on relieving your joint pain and preventing your condition from worsening. Dr. Bastian begins arthritis treatment with non-surgical methods, such as:

• Medications to control pain and inflammation
• Physical therapy and exercise
• Assistive devices like canes or splints
• Joint injections, such as steroids or Synvisc-One®
• Acupuncture
• Regenerative medicine, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cells

If your joint pain persists despite treatment, surgery may be necessary. Dr. Bastian specializes in joint replacement surgery as well as minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery. 

To find relief from arthritis and joint pain, call Sevag Bastian, MD, or book an appointment online today.