There are many types of inflammatory joint and soft tissue conditions that require effective, early management and treatment to stop them getting worse. For example, rheumatoid arthritis is a condition where the lining of the joints becomes inflamed and if not corrected, this can lead to joint deformity and lots of pain. Conditions such as ankylosing spondylosis affect the spine, hips and shoulders in a similar way and fibromyalgia is a condition affecting the muscles of the body.
Spotting the early warning signs and getting advice and management early can stop the disease progressing too quickly and ensure you are able to carry on with your day to day activities and hobbies. Some of the effective treatments for inflammatory conditions include:
- Medical management with specific and targeted medications
- Splinting techniques to rest the joints
- Physiotherapy to educate you on activity modification, appropriate exercises for joint protection and to ensure that you maintain the movements and flexibility you require.
Keep an eye on symptoms such as the ones listed below which are common signs of inflammatory disease. If more than one of these occurs and persists then consider contacting your doctor or making an appointment with a specialist physiotherapist for assessment:
- Pain in multiple joints or areas in the body that has lasted longer than 3 months
- You have a family history of inflammatory conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis
- You have swelling in multiple joints in your body
- You regularly wake up with a significant feeling of stiffness in multiple joints that takes more than an hour to ease off
- You have a lot of pain at night
If these symptoms sound familiar, think about contacting us for a specialist physiotherapy assessment to consider the best course of treatment, and to advise you on the quickest and best management plan. An early treatment always equals a better outcome. Contact us today on 0207 884 0374 or email us at info@physiocomestoyou.com
Post by Leanne Plenge, Physiotherapist and Bristol Manager.