About Fort Wayne ArthritisIntroduction Poor arthritis! It gets blamed for nearly every ache and pain we experience as we age. It's not all arthritis's fault. Arthritis is just one diagnosis that seems to appear in many conditions' lists of symptoms. You may have arthritis, but it is simply a diagnosis to consider as you seek out the source of the pain. Definition inflammation of a joint Description Arthritis' inflammation causes pain, swelling or stiffness of a joint or joints resulting from any of a number of causes, not the least of which is degenerative changes when arthritis is used in conjunction with spine pain. Arthritis alone is not always the source of spine pain. It is the combination of degenerative disc disease, herniated nucleus pulposus, and stenosis, culminating in spinal degeneration, loss of disc space and joint irritation pain. Video Description of Arthritis Examination A thorough, clinical examination of the affected area of your spine - cervical, thoracic, and/or lumbar - that may include imaging is important to your recovery. Treatment In office, Cox Chiropractic Medicine INC uses chiropracticCox Technic Flexion Distraction and Decompression to widen the canal space, drop the intradiscal pressure and increase the disc height to relieve pain and maintain spine mobility as the disease runs its course. You will welcome the Cox Technic manipulation that gently "pulls you apart," as many patients describe the treatment or say they need. Depending on the affected area of your spine, Cox Technic protocols will be applied appropriately. Depending on the severity of your pain and symptoms, gentler Protocol I may be applied until 50% relief of pain or more restoring Protocol II may be applied to guide your recovery. In the following animations, the disc is pressing on the nerve. Note that as the disc herniation reduces, the pinched nerve is relieved. Goal of Cox Technic for the Lumbar Spine This is an animation of the goal of Cox Technic Flexion-Distraction and Decompression: reduced irritation of spinal elements enough to relieve pain and help you regain your quality of life. The amount of decrease in size of the herniated disc necessary for pain relief varies from 0% to 100% for each individual patient. Goal of Cox Technic for the Cervical Spine This is an animation of the goal of Cox Technic Flexion-Distraction and Decompression: reduced irritation of spinal elements enough to relieve pain and help you regain your quality of life. The amount of decrease in size of the herniated disc necessary for pain relief varies from 0% to 100% for each individual patient. In office adjunctive care may hasten your recovery. At Home Care At home you may want to avoid sitting for long periods of time, wear a support brace if recommended, take nutritional supplements that help rebuild disc cartilage, do exercises that strengthen your spine, sleep on a supportive mattress, sit in an ergonomically designed chair, and modify your daily activities as needed. Clinical Case Reports Osteoarthritis - Hip Replacement for Avascular Necrosis and Pain due to Osteodegenerative Arthritis of Hip Joint & Spondylolisthesis Controlled with Cox Decompression Adjustment & Manipulation Contact Cox Chiropractic Medicine INC for care of your arthritis. "This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page."