Arthritis & Joint Inflammation

Arthritis & Joint Inflammation

  • Overview
  • Approach
  • Appointments
  • Treatment
  • Locations
  • Doctors
  • Providers

    • What is arthritis?

    Arthritis is inflammation or pain in one or more joints. It is a common condition, especially in adults over 50. If you have arthritis or joint inflammation, you may be looking for answers that will restore the quality of the life you once had. At University of Michigan Health, we have treated hundreds of thousands of arthritis patients over decades and have restored them to a life of less pain and greater mobility. 

    What are the types of arthritis?

    Types of arthritis include:

    • Osteoarthritis – Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis can affect the knees, hips, spine, fingers and toes. It usually begins in an isolated joint. 
    • Rheumatoid arthritis – Rheumatic arthritis is an autoimmune disease, which means that the immune system malfunctions and attacks the body instead of intruders. The disease causes the tissues that line the joints to become inflamed. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect the knees, ankles, feet, neck, elbows, wrists and hands, and often targets several areas. 
    • Gout – Gout is a kind of arthritis caused by too much uric acid in the blood, which causes joint inflammation. Gout can affect the knees, ankles and feet, but is most common in the big toe.
    • Post-traumatic arthritis - Begins after an injury that leads to the progression of degenerative (worsening) changes in a joint. The knee may have had a scope or cartilage procedure in the past. 
    • Psoriatic arthritis - a chronic (ongoing) disease that is characterized by a form of inflammation of the skin (psoriasis) and some of the joints (arthritis). The condition is pronounced si-or-RAT-tic
    • Septic arthritis - When there has been a previous infection that has destroyed the cartilage, septic arthritis can result. 

    Our Approach

    At U-M Health, our experienced team will do tests to determine which type of arthritis you have. Then we will develop an effective treatment plan and will explain your options. Our success in treating these types of arthritis result from our integrated, multidisciplinary approach to patient care. In treating your arthritis and joint inflammation, we will involve all of the areas of our team that are necessary to solve your particular problem and develop an individual treatment plan for you.

    Experts in Joint Replacement

    Because of our interest in quality improvement, we are founding members of the Michigan Arthroplasty Registry, a group of orthopaedic surgeons and medical professionals who want to improve the quality of care for patients undergoing hip, knee and shoulder replacement procedures in Michigan. The Coordinating Center for this Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan-funded project is also housed at U-M Health. 

    Appointment Information

    Comprehensive Hand Center

    The Comprehensive Hand Center is dedicated to providing comprehensive care for a variety of hand problems. From arthritis injuries to congenital hand conditions, our hand specialists approach each case individually.

    Learn about the Hand Center

    How is arthritis treated?

    At U-M Health, we believe that surgery is rarely the first option. We look first at non-surgical treatments for arthritis and joint inflammation, such as lifestyle changes, anti-inflammatory medications, braces, walking aids and injections. Non-surgical treatment depends on the joint affected by arthritis. For instance, weight loss and strengthening exercises can help to stabilize a knee and decrease pain. Depending on the patient, arthritis in the ankle can be better tolerated with an ankle brace. For the hip, weight loss and using a cane on the opposite side could make a difference.

    Surgery

    When treatment isn’t working, the damage is severe, or the pain affects your sleep and lifestyle, we may advise surgery. We give you surgical options based on the type of arthritis and the body part affected. As an academic medical center, we’re actively involved in top research, which means we are able to offer our patients a variety of surgical options, including computer-assisted surgery and less invasive surgery. Our orthopaedic surgeons are nationally and internationally known for their expertise in replacing and repairing arthritic joints.

    Surgery options for arthritis and joint inflammation include:

    • Arthroscopy – Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive approach of treating pre-arthritic problems inside the joint by making small incisions and using pencil-size instruments and a tiny camera to see and work inside the joint.
    • Joint replacement or partial joint replacement (also known as arthroplasty) – The most common total joint replacement is hip and knee, but arthroplasty is also used for the shoulder, elbow, ankle and knuckle. U-M Health is one of the few health care providers in southeast Michigan that offer total ankle joint replacement, and we are very experienced in this procedure. Partial joint replacements can be done on the part of the joint that is damaged, such as the knee, hip, hand or wrist.
    • Osteotomy – Osteotomy involves cutting and then aligning the bone to shift the weight away from the part of the joint that is wearing out. 

    Locations
    • Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Program | Domino's Farms 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Dr Ste 1000
      Lobby A
      Ann Arbor, MI 48105-9484       Get Directions
    • Orthopaedic Surgery Clinic | Taubman Center 1500 E Medical Center Dr
      Floor 2 Reception B
      Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5328       Get Directions

    Doctors

     Search for a U-M Health doctor     Andrea Aagesen

    Andrea Lynn Aagesen, DO

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Sports Medicine

    William Reuben Aibinder, MD

    William Reuben Aibinder, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Orthopedic Surgery

    Ilyas Syed Aleem, MD

    Ilyas Syed Aleem, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Orthopedic Surgery

    Asheesh Bedi, MD

    Asheesh Bedi, MD

    Professor

    Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine

    Christopher Neil Carender, MD

    Christopher Neil Carender, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Orthopedic Surgery

    Elizabeth Ann Dailey, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Orthopedic Surgery

    Ora Beth Gewurz-Singer, MD

    Ora Beth Gewurz-Singer, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Rheumatology, Internal Medicine

    Brian Richard Hallstrom, MD

    Brian Richard Hallstrom, MD, FAOA

    Clinical Professor

    Orthopedic Surgery

    James Robert Holmes, MD

    James Robert Holmes, MD

    Clinical Professor

    Orthopedic Surgery

    Joanne Michelle Kahlenberg MD, PhD

    Joanne MICHELLE Kahlenberg, MD, PhD

    Professor

    Rheumatology, Internal Medicine

    Show All Doctors

    Providers

     Search for a U-M Health provider     Michelle Allaire Davis, NP

    Michelle Allaire Davis, NP

    Advanced Practice Nurse

    Nurse Practitioner

    Heather Renee Eid-Hubert, PA-C

    Heather Renee Eid-Hubert, PA-C

    Physician Assistant

    Physician Assistant

    Lindsay Anne-Barazsu Miller, PA-C

    Lindsay Anne-Barazsu Miller, PA-C

    Physician Assistant

    Physician Assistant

    Brennen O'Dell, DPM

    Brennen O'Dell, DPM

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Podiatry, Foot and Ankle Surgery

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