Arthritis

People with arthritis may find it hard to do simple everyday activities like walking or climbing stairs. Although there is no cure for arthritis, many treatment options are available to help manage arthritis symptoms. MetroWest Medical Center offers a complete range of orthopedic care to provide arthritis pain relief for people in Natick and Framingham.

Exceptional Care for Arthritis Pain in Natick and Framingham

At MetroWest Medical Center, we understand how arthritis can impact your life. That's why our orthopedic doctors, nurses, surgeons and therapists offer a full spectrum of treatments for arthritis pain to help get you back to a more active lifestyle. Our doctors will work with you to develop the right treatment plan for your needs.

We begin our arthritis treatment plan with conservative approaches, such as a combination of medications, lifestyle modifications and physical therapy to improve joint function and mobility. If noninvasive options no longer provide relief, we may offer a minimally invasive joint replacement as an option. 

Please call 800-872-5473 or fill out this referral request form to learn more about our orthopedic doctors in Natick and Framingham locations. 

What Is Arthritis?

If you experience pain and stiffness in and around the joints, you might have arthritis. An estimated 58.5 million adults in the United States have arthritis, which is most common among people with other chronic conditions, such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

Arthritis is inflammation of one or more of your joints. Joints are where two bones meet, such as your elbow or knee. Symptoms of arthritis can include:

• Pain, redness, heat and swelling in your joints
• Trouble moving around
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Breathing problems
• Rash or itch
  

Risk factors are behaviors and characteristics that increase a person's chance of developing or worsening some types of arthritis. These include:

• Overweight and obesity – excess weight can put more stress on your joints, particularly in the hips and knees
• Infection – bacteria and viruses can infect joints and potentially cause some types of arthritis
• Joint injuries – repetitive movements or injuries can cause joint damage and contribute to the development of osteoarthritis in a joint
• Occupation – occupations that involve repetitive knee bending and squatting can cause osteoarthritis of the knee
• Smoking – increases a person's risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis
• Age – developing arthritis increases as you get older
• Gender – most types of arthritis are more common in women
• Genetics and inherited traits – having a human leukocyte antigen class II genotype can increase your risk of developing arthritis

Is arthritis causing your knee pain? Take our free online knee assessment to know your risks and when to seek medical attention.

Types of Arthritis

There are more than 100 types of arthritis. Some types of arthritis can affect other organs, such as your eyes, heart or skin. The most common types of arthritis are:

• Ankylosing spondylitis - affects the spine and often causes redness, heat, swelling and pain in the spine
• Gout - occurs when too much uric acid crystalizes and builds up in the joints and usually affects the big toe
• Juvenile arthritis - refers to the inflammation of joints in children
• Osteoarthritis - occurs most frequently in the hands, hips and knees and is the most common form of arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis - a type of arthritis that affects people with psoriasis
• Reactive arthritis - pain or swelling in a joint caused by an infection. Symptoms can include red, swollen eyes and swollen urinary tract
• Rheumatoid arthritis - affects joints and bones, often in the hands and feet and may also affect internal organs and systems of people whose body's defense system doesn't work as it should
  

Arthritis is a common cause of disability in the United States. If you or someone you know suffers from chronic joint pain, here are some helpful tips for arthritis pain relief.

How Do You Know If You Have Arthritis Pain?

If you think you may have symptoms of arthritis, please seek medical attention immediately. During your initial appointment, your doctor or rheumatologist may:

• Ask you about your medical history
• Give you a physical exam
• Take samples of blood for a laboratory test
• Take X-rays and other tests such as a magnetic resonance imaging scan or a computerized tomography scan

Although there is no cure for arthritis, there are treatments that may help relieve the pain and disability it can cause. Possible treatments for chronic arthritis pain include:

• Pain medications that are taken orally or creams or ointments that are rubbed into the skin to relieve sore muscles or joints
• Medications that may help slow the course of arthritis and prevent further damage to the joints or other parts of the body
• Joint replacement surgery

Did you know that exercise can help relieve arthritis-related joint pain? Try this exercise for arthritis to help manage your pain, decrease anxiety and improve your overall health.

Why Choose MetroWest Medical Center for Arthritis Pain Relief?

When it comes to the treatment of arthritis, our focus is to help you manage pain, minimize joint damage and improve or maintain your quality of life. Diagnosing arthritis and other rheumatic diseases can sometimes be difficult, as many symptoms are similar to other disorders. 

Our treatment options include medication, surgery, occupational or physical therapy, splints or assistive joint aids, weight loss and lifestyle modifications. At MetroWest Medical Center, you can rest assured that we will work with you to help find the most appropriate treatment options for your type of arthritis.

Insurances Accepted and Payment Plan Options

Taking charge of your health means making important healthcare decisions. MetroWest Medical Center provides all the information you need upfront, including financial obligations. Go to our payment portal and learn about the payment option that works best for you. 

If you have an upcoming procedure or surgery you've been putting off, let us help you get all the information you need to decide on your healthcare. We accept various insurance plans and offer flexible payment plans for most treatments and procedures, including but not limited to knee and hip procedures. Check out our list of participating insurance plan providers. Please contact your insurance provider directly if you have specific questions about your coverage. 

Our dedicated staff is ready to address your questions and help you make financial arrangements. Click on our patient financial resources page or call 833-784-5421 for your insurance, billing, payment plans, pricing information and estimates. To learn about our extended payment plans, please call 833-850-5053 or watch this short video to learn how we make healthcare more affordable.

Find a Rheumatologist in Natick and Framingham

Although arthritis has no cure, current treatments allow most people to lead active and productive lives. Let's help you relive the days before arthritis-related joint pain. Count on our experienced orthopedic doctors and compassionate staff to navigate your journey to a better quality of life. 

Let's get in touch and help find ways to manage your arthritis with some of the latest technology and procedures available in our Natick and Framingham locations. Please call us at 800-872-5473 or click here to find an orthopedic doctor near you.

Please don't delay care.