Arthritis

Generally, osteoarthritis (OA) is a noninflammatory, degenerative (wear and tear) joint condition affecting cartilage. Many of us experience OA as we age. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease in which the tissue lining the joint, called the synovium, becomes inflamed due to an autoimmune response where the body creates antibodies.

Steroid injections can help reduce pain and swelling in conditions such as RA. If used too often or at too high a dose, however, steroids can cause tissue breakdown, osteoporosis, thinning of the skin and more. It generally is accepted that three steroid injections per year are safe.

Start by asking your doctor for recommendations. Doctors have access to printed information that you may find helpful. The more you know about your illness, the better you can help your doctor treat it, so feel free to do your own research.

Frequently, your primary care doctor can diagnose and treat osteoarthritis. It may be appropriate to see a rheumatologist if your doctor is uncomfortable administering joint injections or to rule out other autoimmune diseases. If you have questions about the diagnosis or if initial therapies are inadequate, rheumatologists often can be helpful.