GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Arthritis affects millions of people every day: nagging aching and throbbing pain.
What better way to talk about arthritis during National Arthritis Awareness Month.
FOX 17 sat down with Dr. Kevin Anderson, the foot and ankle section chief from Spectrum Health Medical Group, to learn more about arthritis and how to avoid it at an early age.
He says a lot of it depends on your lifestyle.
Arthritis occurs when the cartilage in our joints wear over time. Dr. Anderson says that can lead to inflammation and pain.
There are various types of arthritis. Post-traumatic arthritis stems from an earlier injury and osteoarthritis, which is what we get when our cartilage wears over time.
"There are things that can be done," Anderson said. "You don’t have to live with this arthritis. There are advances and treatments every year, every day."
Anderson specializes in foot and ankle arthritis, and he says exercise, shoe inserts, ankle braces, or injections might help.
But Anderson says he likes to wait before replacing an arthritic joint. "I like to start out simple and work into more sophisticated (treatment)," he said. "I will rarely offer surgery on their first visit. If we can help in any way to enjoy some of the things you like to do, even if it’s taking your dog for a walk, that’s what we’re here for."
Spectrum Health is offering community seminars on joint pain. Each presentation will focus on injury prevention, technologies that are used in treatment, and ways to relieve pain:
- Foot and Ankle Arthritis Kevin Anderson, MD, Tuesday, May 10
- Hip and Knee Pain and Stiffness - Christopher Sherry, DO, Tuesday, May 17
- Shoulder and Elbow Arthritis - Peter Ugolini, MD, Tuesday, May 25
Seminars are held 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Calvin College Prince Conference Center, 1800 East Beltline Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, and are available through a live stream.
They are free and open to the public.
Pre-registration is required: www.shmg.org/events or call 616.267.2626, option 4.
Live stream also is available at www.shmg.org/events or on Periscope@SpectrumHealth.
