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Arthritis Specialist

Midwest Sports and Interventional Spine

Cyril Philip, MD

Interventional Pain Management & Spine Specialist located in Lake Geneva, WI & Kenosha, WI

Consistent, intermittent, or worsening joint pain often indicates arthritis, a group of diseases with over 100 different types. At Midwest Sports and Interventional Spine, board-certified interventional pain management specialist Cyril Philip, MD, provides radiofrequency ablation and joint injections to ease your joint pain and improve mobility. If you have symptoms of arthritis, call the offices in Kenosha and Franklin, Wisconsin, or request an appointment online today.

Arthritis Q & A

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is a group of degenerative diseases that impact joint function. While many forms of arthritis are much more common in older individuals, you can get arthritis at any age. Even though there is currently no cure, strategic arthritis management can slow the disease’s progression and improve your quality of life. 

Arthritis can affect many of your joints, or just a few. Typically, its symptoms include:

  • Joint pain
  • Joint stiffness
  • Decreased range of motion
  • Swelling
  • Tenderness

At Midwest Sports and Interventional Spine, Dr. Philip specializes in arthritis evaluation and treatment. His individualized treatment plans aim to help you manage your pain and retain or improve your mobility. 

Which type of arthritis do I have?

There are over 100 different types of arthritis that affect your mobile joints (where two or more bones meet) or the tissues surrounding them. Here are some of the most common types:

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Osteoarthritis is the most common of all types in the United States. It comes from wear-and-tear damage to the cartilage within your joints, which normally allows for smooth movement. OA typically affects the cartilage in the hands, hips, and knees.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis affects the joint lining rather than the joint cartilage. It’s an autoimmune disease, meaning the damage comes from your own immune system’s mistaken attacks on the tissue. This also causes fluid to build up in the joints of your hands, wrists, knees, and others. 

Psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is another autoimmune disease affecting joint function. In addition to joint issues, psoriatic arthritis also commonly causes fatigue and changes in the texture and appearance of your nails. 

Gout

Gout is a form of arthritis that most often affects the joint at the base of the big toe. It develops when you have too much uric acid in your system, which causes uric acid crystals to form around the joint. 

What are my options for arthritis treatment?

Midwest Sports and Interventional Spine provides individualized care for arthritis no matter which type you have. Since all types affect you in similar ways, treatment aims to relieve their common symptoms like joint pain and stiffness. 

After careful evaluation, Dr. Philip may recommend one of these in-office procedures:

Joint injections

Corticosteroid joint injections reduce joint inflammation, which causes a reduction in pain and easier movement. 

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)

RFA is a minimally invasive procedure that damages nerves within a painful joint, causing them to stop transmitting pain signals. Radiofrequency is a gentle form of energy that creates heat and cauterizes targeted nerves. 

Viscosupplementation

Viscosupplementation is an injection for arthritic joints - particularly the knees -  containing hyaluronic acid (HA). HA lubricates the joint to relieve pain and stiffness.

To schedule a consultation for individualized arthritis treatment, call Midwest Sports and Interventional Spine or request an appointment online today.