Treatment Options for Patients with Wrist Arthritis

From williamsonsource.com

Wrist arthritis is incredibly common, with one in seven Americans suffering from the ailment. But the good news is there are many effective, non-invasive or minimally-invasive treatment options available.

Todd Wurth, M.D. is an upper extremity specialist with Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee treating nerve-related disorders, fractures, and arthritis in the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand. He shares valuable insights into what wrist arthritis is and how to treat it. 

Wrist Arthritis Types

Like any joint, there are three types of wrist arthritis:

1. Osteoarthritis: Wear and tear arthritis, which develops with time and age.
2. Inflammatory arthritis: A condition where the body’s immune system will attack joints. Those conditions can include rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
3. Post-traumatic arthritis: Occurs after a fracture or serious ligament injury in the wrist that results in instability and arthritis. This is the most common type of wrist arthritis that Bone and Joint Institute treats.

When to See a Doctor for Wrist Arthritis

When the condition starts to negatively impact your life, such as affecting your ability to do things you want or need to do, that’s when you should consider seeing an expert.

Here’s a look at the treatment options for wrist arthritis:

Intermittent Wrist Splinting

This treatment option is non-invasive and good for patients who have mild discomfort or swelling. Arthritis is a condition where you may have good weeks and bad weeks. Some weeks you might have times when you have no problems at all and feel no need to wear the splints. Then you have weeks where you have pain with weather changes or overuse and choose to wear the splints to get back on track. This puts the patient in charge of their needs based on their comfort levels.

Anti-Inflammatory Medication 

Oral medications available to help include Advil and Aleve, but there are also topical medications that work well because the wrist joint is not considered a deep joint. Topical medication is especially good for those who struggle with oral anti-inflammatory drugs, such as individuals on blood thinners or patients with an ulcer or other stomach conditions.

Cortisone Injections

Another initial treatment option before surgery is a cortisone injection in the wrist. Cortisone is a potent anti-inflammatory. Your medical provider will inject a small but concentrated dose that goes directly to the site of the arthritis. 

It does not cure the problem, but it can provide significant relief of symptoms. The length of the relief an injection provides will vary based on the arthritis and the patient. The more severe the arthritis, the less relief time you may get with cortisone injections.

Dr. Wurth generally recommends getting one injection in any joint in the body no more than every six months. If you do them too close together, such as every two months, it isn’t good for the soft tissue and in some instances can speed up the arthritic process. However, utilizing cortisone injections with six months between treatments will not create any adverse reactions or conditions.

Wrist Denervation

If a patient’s condition reaches a point where all of the previous options are not helping and they can’t do what they want or need to do in a day, that’s when providers might start discussing surgical options. Surgery for wrist arthritis can vary depending on the location in the wrist where the arthritis is located.

The most minimally-invasive procedure is wrist denervation. The wrist has two nerves that supply it with pain pathways. These nerves do not serve crucial muscle functions to the body like those in the arm and forearm, which means they can be dissected and removed to prevent signals of pain delivered from joints around your hand and wrist. This procedure is for people who have mild to moderate arthritis in their wrists, but patients with more severe pain might not get the most relief from this method.

To find out whether an individual will benefit from wrist denervation, Dr. Wurth has patients visit his clinic in Franklin and does a nerve block with a long-acting local anaesthetic. The nerve block lasts 12 hours near those two nerves in the wrist that would be impacted by the wrist denervation. Once the nerve block is in place, he advises patients to go out and do what they love and try to use their wrists – play golf, work in the yard, or do something that will aggravate the wrist while monitoring how it feels over the next 12-24 hours. If they have a positive response to this, then the wrist denervation may work well for them. 

While wrist denervation often offers mild relief of symptoms, it is not permanent relief and does not stop the arthritic process, which can get worse with time. The procedure, however, has historically offered many patients years of relief.

Wrist Arthroscopy

Patients that are not candidates for wrist denervation can be evaluated for wrist arthroscopy. During this process, the surgeon scopes the wrist and removes damaged tissue or foreign objects from the joint. This is a more common option for patients with inflammatory-related arthritis.

Proximal Row Carpectomy

For advanced arthritis, Dr. Wurth looks at procedures where he removes a couple of carpal bones in the arthritic portion of the wrist. While removing bones from the wrist sounds unnerving, a patient’s wrist has many carpal bones that will adjust naturally to the surgically-altered wrist to accommodate the change with rehabilitation. 

Limited Wrist Fusions

Limited wrist fusion involves taking out one bone that is arthritic and then fusing other bones together. The procedure still allows patients to flex and extend their wrists while offering good pain relief. 

Total Wrist Fusion

Total wrist fusion is reserved for more extensive arthritic conditions or arthritis associated with instability.  The procedure does not allow patients to flex or extend their wrist but still allows them to rotate their forearm/wrist.  For patients presenting with a wrist fusion as an option for relief, Dr. Wurth instructs patients to wear a wrist splint full-time to get a feel for what their mobility will be like after the wrist fusion.

Wrist Replacements

Wrist replacements are reserved for special conditions. Generally, they serve as an option for patients with lower mobility demands and are largely not suitable for patients that need their wrists for higher-demand activities such as lifting heavier objects. This procedure is usually best for patients with immune-related arthritis and multiple-joint arthritis. 

Preventing Wrist Arthritis

If you’ve fallen and have significant swelling around the wrist and pain that has lasted more than two weeks, it’s worth getting an X-ray. Dr. Wurth sees many patients who come in and have experienced a fall. In the aftermath, they visited an urgent care facility or the ER and the X-ray showed everything was normal. Dr. Wurth recommends patients spend two weeks in a wrist splint and repeat the x-ray in two weeks if pain and swelling persist.

Dr. Wurth also warns that wrist fractures can be sneaky because they might not show up on X-ray initially, and then when you repeat the x-ray later on they suddenly become evident. 

Lots of patients visit Bone and Joint in their 30s and 40s with arthritis in their wrist and when the medical professional does the x-ray, they see a fracture that never healed. These patients can often share an instance from decades ago where they fell and suffered a wrist injury, yet the x-ray didn’t show anything. 

From a prevention standpoint, it’s always best to pay close attention to wrist injuries and listen to your body. Ongoing pain is often trying to tell you something.

https://williamsonsource.com/treatment-options-for-patients-with-wrist-arthritis/

Time for a new knee? Ask these questions first

From health.harvard.edu

When a worn knee starts to give you trouble, nonsurgical treatments are the first line of defence. Weight loss, physical therapy, or injections may help reduce your pain. If your knee doesn't respond to those approaches, it's time to consider a joint replacement. And you'll need information to make a decision about the surgery, which is a big commitment.

Here are some questions to ask, and a sneak peek at what your doctor might say, courtesy of Dr. Antonia Chen, an orthopaedic surgeon and director of research for the Division of Adult Reconstruction and Total Joint Arthroplasty at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Q: What should I look for in a knee replacement surgeon?

Dr. Chen: Ideally your surgeon would be someone who is board-certified in orthopaedic surgery, fellowship-trained, and a specialist in knee replacement. But that type of expert might not be available in your community. If not, look for an orthopaedic surgeon who's been performing knee replacements for at least two years and make sure the surgeon you choose performs at least two knee replacements a month.

Q: What type of prosthetic is best?

Dr. Chen: The gold standard knee replacement is made of cobalt chromium with polyethylene (plastic) in between the metal pieces. Sometimes, the bone behind the kneecap will be replaced with polyethylene (see "Anatomy of a knee replacement"). There are additional materials, such as titanium or zirconium, that can be used in knee replacements. The best prosthetic will be the one your surgeon is comfortable implanting, unless you have a metal allergy, which you should discuss with your doctor.

Anatomy of a knee replacement The knee is a hinge formed by the bottom of the thighbone (femur) and the top of the shin bone (tibia). In front of them is the kneecap (patella). The ends of the bones are cushioned by cartilage. As cartilage wears out over time, the bones rub against each other, causing pain. In a knee replacement, the surgeon removes the damaged ends of the thigh and shin bones and replaces them with artificial parts. The prosthetic on the thighbone is made of metal (typically cobalt chromium). The prosthetic on the shin bone is made of metal (typically cobalt chromium or titanium) and has a plastic piece on top. The plastic is polyethylene, a strong, slippery material that acts as cartilage. The kneecap may also need to be lined with plastic to glide over the other two bones. Image: © SIphotography/Getty Images

Q: How should I prepare physically for a knee replacement?

Dr. Chen: Pre-surgery physical ability predicts your post-surgery physical ability. So work on bending, straightening, and strengthening the knee as much as possible before surgery. Physical therapy can help, and so can exercises that you can do at home.

Q: How should I prepare my home for recovery?

Dr. Chen: Remove anything that might cause you to slip and fall, such as throw rugs, floor clutter, and furniture that blocks your path. It will help to have certain types of equipment at home, including a walker and a cane. You can also consider getting a raised toilet seat and a bedside commode, but not every patient will need these.

Q: Which surgical approach will you take?

Dr. Chen: There are three main approa­ches. One goes around the kneecap, one goes through the middle of the quadriceps muscles, and one goes underneath the quads. There are pluses and minuses for each one, and it mostly depends on the approach your surgeon is most experienced with.

Q: Will you use robotic tools?

Dr. Chen: Some studies have shown that robotic surgery is more precise than traditional surgery. I personally use robotic tools, but robotics are not available at every hospital.

Q: What are potential surgery complications and what will you do to reduce them?

Dr. Chen: Knee replacement risks include bleeding, blood clots, and infection. We use devices to stop bleeding at the time of surgery and we may apply a tourniquet. You will likely get an antibiotic before surgery to prevent infection and a blood thinner after surgery to prevent clots.

Q: Will I have to stay overnight in the hospital?

Dr. Chen: Most people go home on the day of their surgery or stay overnight in the hospital for one night. Home health services can provide visiting nurses or physical therapists who go to a patient's home after surgery.

Q: How much pain will I have and how will you treat it?

Dr. Chen: The first two to six weeks after surgery will be very painful, and we have an extensive plan to treat it. We start right before surgery, giving the patient painkillers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and celecoxib (Celebrex), as well as spinal anaesthesia. During surgery, I'll inject a number of different analgesics and anti-inflammatory medicines into the knee. After surgery, we use narcotics such as oxycodone (OxyContin) only sparingly. If necessary, we can prescribe low-level narcotics such as tramadol (Ultram). But we prefer that you use acetaminophen around the clock. It may not work well on its own, but adding a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as naproxen (Aleve) or a nerve medication called gabapentin (Neurontin) can improve pain relief.

Q: What do you do to ward off stiffness and swelling?

Dr. Chen: These side effects can happen right after knee surgery. It's important to get right into physical rehabilitation to prevent stiffness. To reduce inflammation, I like my patients to use ice or an ice machine that circulates cold fluid around the leg.

Q: What will rehab look like?

Dr. Chen: If you are deconditioned or undergo surgery in both knees at the same time, you might need to go to an in-house rehab facility after surgery and stay for a week or two. If you're stronger, you can go home and have a physical therapist visit the home, or go to an outpatient facility for physical therapy. The rehab process can last up to three months. And it's a year for a full recovery.

Q: When will I be active again?

Dr. Chen: You might have to walk with a walker or crutches for one or two weeks, and then walk with a cane or one crutch for another two to four weeks. It can take three to six months to get you back to brisk walking, six to nine months for activities such as tennis or golf, and nine months to one year for skiing.

Q: How long will the prosthetic last?

Dr. Chen: The plastic part of the prosthetic knee will wear out in about 15 to 20 years, and you might need surgery to replace it.

Q: What if I want to wait before considering surgery?

Dr. Chen: It's your choice: you'll be limited by your pain, and the pain is unlikely to improve. The good news is that waiting won't make your knee much worse. So if you don't want to go through a major surgery and a long recovery, don't do it. Wait until you're ready.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/time-for-a-new-knee-ask-these-questions-first

7 Different Types of Arthritis and Their Implications to the Body

From ke.opera.news/ke/en/health

Arthritis refers to the inflammation and stiffness of the joints, leading to pain and limited mobility. While arthritis is commonly known as a single condition, there are actually several different types, each with its unique characteristics and underlying causes. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the various types of arthritis, shedding light on their distinct features and offering insights into their management.

1. Osteoarthritis:

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, often associated with aging. It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the joints gradually wears away, leading to bone-on-bone friction, pain, and stiffness. Osteoarthritis often impacts joints that bear weight, such as the knees, hips, and spine. Risk factors include aging, joint overuse, obesity, and joint injuries.

2. Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Rheumatoid arthritis is a persistent autoimmune condition that predominantly targets the joints. It develops when the immune system erroneously attacks the body's own tissues, resulting in joint inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis often affects multiple joints symmetrically, such as the hands, wrists, and feet. It can also lead to systemic symptoms, including fatigue, fever, and weight loss. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to managing this progressive condition.

3. Psoriatic Arthritis:

Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis that emerges in certain individuals who have psoriasis, a chronic skin condition distinguished by red, scaly patches. It can affect both the skin and joints, leading to joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. Psoriatic arthritis can affect any joint in the body and may also cause nail changes. Timely diagnosis and a multidisciplinary approach are essential to effectively managing this condition.

4. Gout:

Gout is a type of arthritis that occurs when there is an accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints, leading to inflammation and pain. It typically affects the joint at the base of the big toe, but can also occur in other joints such as the ankles, knees, and wrists. Gout attacks are characterized by sudden and intense pain, swelling, and redness in the affected joint. Lifestyle modifications and medication can help manage gout and prevent recurrent flare-ups.

5. Juvenile Arthritis:

Juvenile arthritis refers to a group of arthritic conditions that occur in children and teenagers. The most common types include juvenile idiopathic arthritis, which causes joint inflammation for an extended period, and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune condition affecting the joints. Early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and ongoing support are essential for children with juvenile arthritis to ensure their optimal growth and development.

6. Ankylosing Spondylitis:

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory arthritis that primarily affects the spine. It causes inflammation of the vertebrae, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced flexibility. Ankylosing spondylitis can also involve other joints and, in severe cases, result in the fusion of spinal bones. Early diagnosis, exercise, and medication can help manage symptoms and maintain spinal mobility.

7. Reactive Arthritis:

Reactive arthritis, also known as Reiter's syndrome, is a type of arthritis that typically develops after an infection in another part of the body, such as the urinary tract, intestines, or genitals. It commonly affects the joints, causing pain, swelling, and inflammation. Prompt treatment of the underlying infection and management of symptoms is essential for a favourable outcome.

While these are some of the primary types of arthritis, there are other less common forms, such as lupus arthritis, infectious arthritis, and fibromyalgia. Each type of arthritis requires an individualized approach to treatment, including a combination of medication, physical therapy, lifestyle modifications, and in some cases, surgery.

It is important to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plan if you experience joint pain, swelling, or stiffness. Early intervention and proper management can help individuals with arthritis lead fulfilling lives by minimizing pain, preserving joint function, and improving overall quality of life.

https://ke.opera.news/ke/en/health/0625bc39a042657e5ba630a32d48dcec 

Q&A: Psoriatic arthritis and its impact on sleep

From healio.com

Key takeaways:

• Rheumatologists and primary care physicians play a crucial role in addressing sleep problems among patients with psoriatic arthritis.
• 73% of patients with psoriatic arthritis report poor sleep quality.

Healio spoke with Lourdes Perez-Chada, MD, MMSc, an instructor in dermatology and assistant director for Master of Medical Sciences in Clinical Investigation at Harvard Medical School, about how patients with psoriatic arthritis are impacted by sleep issues, and how rheumatologists and primary care physicians can address this issue.

Lourdes Perez-Chada

Healio: How common is it for patients with PsA to experience sleep problems? Examples of these problems?

Perez-Chada: Sleep problems in patients with PsA are very common. The most reported sleep problem is poor sleep quality. In a recent meta-analysis conducted by our study group, we found that 73% of patients with PsA report poor sleep quality as measured by a validated tool called the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Sleep quality is only one of the dimensions of “sleep health.” There are other dimensions of sleep health that could be affected in these patients including daytime alertness, sleep timing, duration, efficiency, and regularity. However, there is limited data about these other sleep health dimensions. With regards to discrete sleep disorders, a Danish cohort study showed that patients with PsA have a higher risk of developing obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), and vice versa. However, data on the prevalence of OSA remains limited.

Healio: How many of those patients receive treatment for these sleep problems? Examples of treatment?

Perez-Chada: That is a great question, though further research is needed to answer it. The type of possible sleep therapies depends on the nature of the sleep problem. For example, if a patient suffers from chronic insomnia, cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is considered the gold standard therapy. Instead, if a patient suffers from obstructive sleep apnoea, possible therapies might include Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), oral appliances or even surgery.

Healio: Does the severity of the PsA symptoms have a direct impact on sleep? And vice versa, how can lack of sleep impact PsA symptoms?

Perez-Chada: In our qualitative study involving patients with PsA, we aimed to gain insight into their sleep experiences. Our findings revealed a possible bidirectional connection between PsA symptoms and sleep. Patients frequently expressed difficulties in either initiating or maintaining sleep due to musculoskeletal pain and itching associated with PsA. Additionally, they mentioned that their musculoskeletal pain hindered their ability to find a comfortable sleeping position. Interestingly, patients also reported that inadequate sleep exacerbated their musculoskeletal pain and itching sensations.

However, it is important to note that these observations were derived from qualitative data, and quantitative studies have yet to confirm these relationships. To address this gap, we have initiated a longitudinal study where we collect daily data on PsA symptoms and sleep patterns. This study is being funded by a pilot research grant received from the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA). By utilizing both subjective measures, such as sleep questionnaires and diaries, and objective measures, such as actigraphy, we aim to quantify these associations. This comprehensive approach will provide a more robust understanding of the interplay between PsA symptoms and sleep quality.

Healio: If patients with PsA don’t get treatment for their sleep issues, could it hurt their overall PsA disease activity? In what ways?

Perez-Chada: Cross-sectional studies have shown an association between poor sleep quality and disease activity. However, longitudinal studies testing the directionality of this association have not been conducted.

Considering that PsA is characterized by underlying systemic inflammation and that inadequate sleep is associated with inflammatory dysregulation, it is possible that poor sleep health among PsA patients may exacerbate the overall inflammatory burden, consequently leading to heightened disease activity. Our study group is currently conducting a prospective study to test this hypothesis.  By revealing the potential link between poor sleep health and disease activity in PsA, we hope to pave the way for improved treatment strategies that address not only the underlying inflammation but also the sleep-related factors that may contribute to disease severity.

Healio: How do you approach the discussion of sleep with your patients with PsA?

Perez-Chada: Rheumatologists and PCPs play a crucial role in addressing sleep problems among patients with PsA. To effectively initiate discussions about sleep problems, rheumatologists/PCPs can employ several approaches:

1. Assessing sleep quality: Rheumatologists and PCPs should inquire about various aspects of sleep that could be affected, including sleep quality, difficulties with falling asleep or staying asleep, snoring, daytime sleepiness, and how sleep problems impact their patients' daily lives.
2. Providing information: Rheumatologists and PCPs should educate their patients about the connection between PsA and sleep problems. It is important to explain how pain, itching, and inflammation associated with PsA can disrupt sleep patterns, and vice versa. Patients should be informed about the significance of addressing sleep problems to enhance their overall well-being.
3. Screening for sleep disorders: Rheumatologists and PCPs can utilize validated screening tools to identify potential sleep disorders like insomnia, sleep apnoea, or restless legs syndrome. This screening process enables them to identify patients who may require further evaluation or referral to sleep specialists.
4. Medication review: Rheumatologists and PCPs should carefully review the patient's current medication regimen to identify any medications that might contribute to sleep disturbances. If feasible, adjustments to medications can be made or alternative options explored to minimize their impact on sleep.
5. Providing sleep advice: Rheumatologists and PCPs should offer guidance on maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, creating a comfortable sleep environment, practicing relaxation techniques, and avoiding factors that can disrupt sleep, such as caffeine or excessive screen time before bed. 
6. By proactively addressing sleep problems, rheumatologists and PCPs can contribute to improved disease management, enhanced quality of life, and better overall health outcomes for their patients with PsA.

https://www.healio.com/news/rheumatology/20230613/qa-psoriatic-arthritis-and-its-impact-on-sleep 

Foot Pain Could Be Arthritis

From cannoncourier.com

Arthritis in the feet and ankles can produce swelling and pain, deformity, loss of joint function and loss of mobility. Whereas previous generations had to accept this as a normal part of aging, an explosion of new therapies and surgical treatments is offering patients today both hope and relief. For best results however, foot and ankle surgeons urge early intervention.

"When it comes to arthritis, it's important not to tough out symptoms or bear the pain," says Danielle Butto, DPM, FACFAS, a foot and ankle surgeon and Fellow member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). "Earlier treatment is not just about alleviating symptoms sooner. In many cases, we can even slow the progression of the symptoms, and use less invasive procedures to treat the condition than we would otherwise."

Understanding the early warning signs of arthritis, the progression of different forms of the disease and the new treatments available are important for getting the proper treatment and managing your symptoms.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition characterized by the breakdown and eventual loss of cartilage in the joints.

One common area where osteoarthritis occurs is the big toe. The big toe makes it possible for you to walk and run upright, absorbing forces equal to nearly twice your body weight when walking. With all it endures, it's no surprise that overuse can erode cartilage, causing serious pain and even physical deformities. Nevertheless, many people confuse big toe arthritis, also known as hallux rigidus, with bunions.

Early signs of hallux rigidus include pain and stiffness during use, or during cold, damp weather, difficulty with activities like running and squatting, and swelling and inflammation around the joint. Additional symptoms may develop over time, including pain during rest, bone spurs, limping, and dull pain in the hip, knee or lower back due to changes in gait.

If you notice any of these symptoms, see a foot and ankle surgeon. Conservative treatments like shoe modifications, orthotic devices and physical therapy, may prevent or postpone the need for surgery. If you have mid- to end-stage arthritis in your foot or ankle, you may require next steps, such as ground-breaking cartilage regeneration treatment, implant surgery or the surgical removal of damaged cartilage and spurs, all of which have quick recovery periods.

"People with this disorder tend to suffer much longer than they need to," says Dr. Butto. "They're often pleasantly surprised when they find out their problem can be fixed."

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease in which certain cells of the immune system malfunction and attack healthy joints. Foot problems caused by RA commonly occur in the ball of the foot near the toes, although RA can also affect other areas of the foot and ankle. The most common signs and symptoms are pain, swelling, joint stiffness and difficulty walking, as well as a range of deformities, including rheumatoid nodules, dislocated toe joints, hammertoes, bunions, heel pain, Achilles tendon pain and flatfoot ankle pain.

As part of a team that includes a primary doctor or rheumatologist, your foot and ankle surgeon will develop a treatment plan aimed at relieving associated pain, which may include orthotic devices, accommodative shoes, aspiration of fluid build-up and steroid injections. When RA produces foot pain and deformities not relieved through other treatments, surgery may be required.

"Listening to your body and seeing a foot and ankle surgeon are so important. With today's scientific advances, treatment can reduce pain and restore you to your previous mobility, strength and functionality," says Dr. Butto. 

https://www.cannoncourier.com/foot-pain-could-be-arthritis-cms-22366

What You Shouldn't Eat Regularly if You Have Arthritis

From ng.opera.news

By Knegus (self media writer) 

Inflammation throughout the body, which can cause pain and other symptoms, is what defines arthritis. Diabetes, heart disease, and obesity are just a few of the illnesses correlated with chronic inflammation.

Pain and stiffness are two signs of arthritis, which is sometimes referred to as joint inflammation. Inflammation has been linked to diets heavy in fat, sugar, processed carbohydrates, and salt. As a result, it's possible that your arthritic symptoms will get worse.

I'll go over seven items that, according to Healthline and VeryWellHealth, you shouldn't take frequently to prevent your arthritis from getting worse.

I. Red Meat

White meats and vegetarian proteins are lower in total fat and higher in saturated fat than red meat. Red meat consumption has been associated with inflammation, which may exacerbate arthritic symptoms such as joint swelling.

2. Refined carbohydrates

When white flour or white rice are produced through refinement, the fibre and minerals are largely removed. This process transforms the grain into its simple carbohydrate form, which carries a higher risk of elevating blood sugar levels and triggering inflammation.

3. Processed foods

Frozen dinners, lunch meat, baked products, quick food, and packed snacks are typically made with ingredients that induce inflammation. These foods are filled with unhealthy ingredients like sugar, salt, and fat, as well as processed carbohydrates.

This kind of diet may unintentionally exacerbate the symptoms of arthritis because there is a link between consuming a lot of processed foods and getting insulin resistance.

4. Salt

Although salt's sodium content provides several health benefits for the body, eating too much of it at once can be dangerous (and most people do). Consuming excessive amounts of salt has been connected to an increase in inflammation and a higher risk of rheumatoid arthritis.

5. Sugar

Reducing your sugar intake may be beneficial if you suffer from any type of joint pain or arthritis. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis said that sugary soda and sweets caused their symptoms to worsen the most across a variety of 20 meals. If you want to lower your risk of developing arthritis, you should limit your intake of sugary beverages like soda.

6. Alcohol

People with inflammatory arthritis should limit or completely avoid alcohol use because it may worsen their symptoms. In certain studies, drinking alcohol has also been linked to a rise in the frequency and severity of gout attacks.

7. Saturated-fat-rich foods

However, not all fats have the same benefit. The heart and other organs require a diet high in "good fats," such those found in avocados, olive oil, and almonds. Contrarily, trans fats, which can be found in a variety of processed, fried, quick, and sugary foods like donuts, can lead to inflammation.

https://ng.opera.news/ng/en/health/c64366871ed15fb42026812eba7b7fbe