Arthritis and joint pain
Arthritis and joint pain
Arthritis is not one disease. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout behave differently and need different treatment, so the right diagnosis comes first.
Dr. Shweta Vandurkar, orthopaedic surgeon in Thane, evaluates your history, examines the area, reviews imaging when needed, and explains every option clearly, starting with the least invasive that can work.
Seek urgent care for: Hot, red, very painful single joint with fever; Sudden inability to use a joint.
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Conditions we assess: arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Wear of joint cartilage; commonest in knees, hips and hands.
- Joint pain worse with activity
- Morning stiffness lasting under 30 minutes
- Creaking or swollen joints
Rheumatoid arthritis
An inflammatory condition affecting joints on both sides of the body.
- Painful swollen joints on both sides
- Morning stiffness over an hour
- Fatigue
Gout
Uric acid crystals causing sudden inflammation.
- Sudden severe painful, red, swollen joint, often the big toe
Other inflammatory arthritis
Includes psoriatic arthritis and others.
- Swollen fingers or toes
- Joint pain with skin or nail changes
Not sure where to start?
Solutions, from simple to surgical
- Pain-relief and anti-inflammatory medicines as advised
- Disease-specific medicines coordinated with a rheumatologist when needed
- Physiotherapy and joint protection
- Weight management
- Intra-articular steroid injection for flare-ups (selected cases)
- Hyaluronic acid or PRP in selected osteoarthritis patients; evidence varies
Injections are used selectively after assessment and are one part of a wider plan.
- Low-impact exercise to keep joints moving
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Joint-friendly work and home set-up
- Diet changes for gout as advised
- Arthroscopic debridement. Selected cases with mechanical symptoms.
- Realignment (osteotomy). Selected younger patients with limited arthritis.
- Joint replacement. Knee, hip, shoulder and other joints when pain and function remain poor.
- Robotic-assisted joint replacement. A surgeon-guided robotic approach for knee and hip replacement, where available and suitable.
Robotic-assisted replacement. Dr. Shweta offers robotic-assisted hip and knee replacement for suitable patients. Robotic-assisted joint replacement uses pre-operative imaging to build a personalised plan, and a surgeon-guided robotic arm helps prepare the bone and position the implant within that plan. The surgeon stays in full control. It may improve the precision of implant alignment. Availability depends on the hospital and system, and long-term advantage over conventional surgery is not proven for every patient. Ask whether it suits you.
Where a specialised procedure is needed, Dr. Shweta will explain it clearly and, if appropriate, coordinate with the relevant specialist or hospital. Medicines and procedures are decided only after examination.
Your questions
Most forms cannot be cured, but pain and function can be improved a great deal with the right combination of treatments.
Painless cracking is common and usually harmless. Pain, swelling or locking should be assessed.
Call or WhatsApp +91 89564 30965, or use the booking form. Dr. Shweta consults at five locations in Thane West.
Medical disclaimer: This page offers general educational information and does not replace a consultation. Treatment decisions are made only after examination.