Arthritis Specialist
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Blake Fenkell, D.O.
Orthopedic Surgeon & Arthroscopy & Sports Medicine located in Troy, MI
About 1 in 4 American adults has arthritis today. At Blake Fenkell, the private orthopedic practice of Blake Fenkell, DO, you find expert arthritis care, tailored to your symptoms and issues. Dr. Fenkell can help with both the discomfort and disability that arthritis can cause. He uses the most up-to-date treatment approaches to expertly ease symptoms of shoulder, knee, and hip arthritis. Call the Troy, Michigan, office, or use the online scheduler to book your appointment now.
Arthritis Q&A
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a family of joint diseases with more than 100 subtypes. Osteoarthritis, by far the most common of all of these types, currently affects 32.5 million adults in America.
Osteoarthritis develops when the cartilage — the protective material covering the ends of your bones — slowly wears down over the years.
This leads to bone-on-bone issues inside your joints. Osteoarthritis commonly affects some of the most important joints in your body, including the knees, hips, and shoulders.
What are the symptoms of arthritis?
Arthritis can cause several disruptive problems, including:
- Pain or soreness
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Decreased use of the affected joint
- Joint locking or sticking
- Crepitus, a cracking sensation or sound when moving the affected joint
Arthritis symptoms may peak in the early morning and then fade with moderate physical activity. However, vigorous physical activity like high-impact sports may worsen your symptoms.
How is arthritis diagnosed?
Dr. Fenkell performs a physical exam, checking for crepitus, joint changes, and issues with the joint’s support tissues. He reviews all of your symptoms in detail, so it helps if you keep track of your pain flare-ups and other symptoms for at least a few weeks ahead of time.
You typically have X-rays of the affected joint. An X-ray is an extremely important diagnostic tool for arthritis because it can show bone changes, bone spurs, fluid buildup, and other issues. You may also need blood tests to eliminate other diseases as the cause of your symptoms.
How is arthritis treated?
Dr. Fenkell treats osteoarthritis using nonsurgical approaches whenever possible. He offers a range of solutions to help you manage your pain and improve your joint function, including:
- Physical therapy
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Corticosteroid injections
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
- Hyaluronic acid injections
- Radiofrequency ablation
When combined with health and lifestyle changes, such as weight loss and a regular low-impact exercise routine, nonsurgical approaches can be an extremely effective way to manage your arthritis long-term.
If nonsurgical measures fail, or if your arthritis progresses beyond the effectiveness of nonoperative treatments, Dr. Fenkell may discuss other options, like joint replacement surgery.
Blake Fenkell offers expert arthritis care with a focus on great results. He takes every step possible to ease your pain with the most advanced nonsurgical approaches, so call the office, or click on the provided appointment scheduler for help now.
