Quick answers about arthritis care

• How long do steroid injections last? Often 4–12 weeks of pain relief, depending on joint and severity.
• Is joint replacement painful? Modern anesthesia and pain protocols reduce pain; discomfort improves steadily over days to weeks.
• Can exercise worsen arthritis? The right, low-impact program helps most patients and protects joints.
• When is surgery needed? Considered when pain and disability persist despite structured non-surgical care.
  Causes and symptoms of arthritis
• Common causes
• Osteoarthritis: age-related cartilage wear, prior injury, or malalignment (e.g., bow legs/knock knees).
• Inflammatory arthritis: e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis; immune-mediated joint inflammation.
• Post-traumatic arthritis: prior fractures or ligament injuries altering joint mechanics.
  Metabolic and crystal arthritis: gout, CPPD (pseudogout).
  Spine arthritis (spondylosis): disc degeneration and facet arthropathy causing neck or back pain
  
  Typical symptoms
  Pain with movement or after activity; morning or start-up stiffness.
  Swelling, warmth, or joint tenderness; reduced range of motion.
• Grinding or clicking (crepitus) in load-bearing joints.
  Deformity or instability; difficulty climbing stairs or walking distances.
• Nerve-related pain or numbness if the spine is involved.
  Non-surgical and lifestyle care
  Most people improve with a structured conservative plan. Under the supervision of Dr. Pramod Kumar Surve in Pune, Maharashtra, care is personalized and progressed safely.
  Targeted physiotherapy: strengthen quadriceps/hip abductors for knee OA; scapular and rotator cuff work for shoulder; core and flexibility for spine.
  Actionable Steps
  Low-impact aerobic exercise: walking on even ground, cycling, swimming, or aquatic therapy 3–5 days/week.
• Weight management: even 5–10% reduction can lower knee load and pain.
• Activity modification: avoid high-impact jumps or deep squats during flares; pace activities and take planned breaks.
• Bracing/orthoses: unloading knee braces, arch supports for alignment, soft collars or lumbar supports in selected spine cases.
• Heat and cold: heat to loosen stiff joints; ice after activity to reduce inflammation.
• Sleep and stress: prioritize 7–8 hours sleep; manage stress to reduce pain sensitization.
  
   Dr. Pramod Kumar Surve offers Personalized arthritis care is available in Pune, Maharashtra. From conservative therapy to advanced joint replacement and spine solutions, your plan is designed around safety, function, and long-term outcomes.