National Arthritis Awareness Month: What Texas Families Need to Know About Joint Health

May is National Arthritis Awareness Month, and as someone who treats arthritis patients daily in my Murphy practice, I want to clear up some major misconceptions. Arthritis is not just an old person’s disease. It’s not something you just have to live with. And joint pain is not always arthritis.

I’m doctor Hina Zaman, MD, and I’ve diagnosed arthritis in patients ranging from their 20s to their 80s. I’ve watched a 35-year-old mother struggle to pick up her toddler because of rheumatoid arthritis. I’ve seen a 60-year-old man finally get relief after years of being told his knee pain was “just part of aging.”

If you’re dealing with joint pain, stiffness, or swelling, this article will help you understand what might be happening and when you need to see a doctor.

Arthritis By the Numbers (And Why This Matters in Murphy)

More than 58 million Americans have arthritis. That’s roughly 1 in 4 adults. It’s the leading cause of disability in the United States, affecting people’s ability to work, exercise, play with their kids, and perform basic daily tasks.

Here’s what surprises most people: nearly 300,000 children in the U.S. have some form of juvenile arthritis. This is not just a disease of older adults.

In my Murphy and Plano practice, I see arthritis affecting busy professionals who work at desks all day, parents chasing after young kids, retired folks who want to stay active, and everyone in between. The impact goes far beyond the joints themselves. It affects sleep, mood, weight, and overall quality of life.

The Two Main Types of Arthritis

The word “arthritis” covers more than 100 different conditions. Here are the two most common types I see in Murphy:

Osteoarthritis (OA): The “Wear and Tear” Type

The protective cartilage cushioning your joints gradually wears down over time. Bones start rubbing against each other, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling. Most common in people over 50, former athletes, people who are overweight, or those with family history.

Most affected joints: Knees, hips, hands, spine

What it feels like: Achy pain that worsens with activity. Morning stiffness that loosens up after moving around. Joints may feel creaky or make popping sounds.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): The Autoimmune Type

Your immune system mistakenly attacks joint linings, causing inflammation and damage. Women are affected three times more often than men. Usually develops between ages 30-60.

Most affected joints: Hands, wrists, feet (usually both sides of the body)

What it feels like: Morning stiffness lasting over 30 minutes. Warm, swollen, tender joints. Fatigue and sometimes fever. RA can also affect your eyes, lungs, and heart, which is why early treatment is critical.

When Joint Pain Needs Medical Attention

Not every ache requires a doctor visit. But certain symptoms should prompt you to call my Murphy office:

How I Diagnose Arthritis in Murphy Patients

Diagnosis starts with listening to your story. When did the pain start? Which joints hurt? Is it worse in the morning or evening? Does activity make it better or worse? Do you have any other symptoms?

Then I examine your joints, looking for swelling, warmth, range of motion limitations, and specific patterns of involvement.

Testing may include:

• Blood work: Inflammatory markers (ESR, CRP), rheumatoid factor, anti-CCP antibodies, uric acid
• X-rays: Show joint damage, bone spurs, cartilage loss
• Ultrasound or MRI: For detailed look at soft tissue inflammation
• Joint fluid analysis: If infection or gout is suspected

Different types of arthritis have different patterns. RA typically shows up in blood work and affects small joints symmetrically. Osteoarthritis shows characteristic changes on X-rays. Gout causes sudden severe attacks in one joint (often the big toe).

Treatment Options That Work

There’s no cure for most types of arthritis, but we have excellent treatments to control symptoms and maintain quality of life.

For Osteoarthritis

Start here (non-medication approaches):

• Weight loss: Every pound lost removes 4 pounds of pressure from your knees
• Low-impact exercise: Swimming, cycling, walking strengthen muscles supporting joints
• Physical therapy: Improves function and reduces pain

Medications when needed: Acetaminophen, NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen), topical creams, cortisone injections. For severe cases not responding to treatment, joint replacement surgery may be necessary.

For Rheumatoid Arthritis

RA treatment is more aggressive because we’re preventing permanent joint damage. Early treatment gives the best results. Medications include methotrexate, biologics (Humira, Enbrel), and newer JAK inhibitors. I typically refer RA patients to a rheumatologist while coordinating overall care.

Protecting Your Joints: What You Can Do Today

Whether you already have arthritis or want to prevent it, these strategies help:

Stay active but smart: Regular exercise strengthens the muscles that support your joints. But high-impact activities (running on concrete, jumping) can damage cartilage. Choose low-impact options like swimming, cycling, elliptical, or walking.

Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight is one of the biggest controllable risk factors for knee and hip osteoarthritis. Losing even 10 pounds reduces stress on weight-bearing joints.

Eat an anti-inflammatory diet:

• Fatty fish (salmon, sardines) rich in omega-3s
• Colorful fruits and vegetables (berries, leafy greens, tomatoes)
• Nuts and seeds
• Olive oil
• Limit processed foods, red meat, and sugar

Don’t smoke: Smoking increases RA risk and makes all types of arthritis worse. It’s one of the strongest modifiable risk factors.

Protect your joints during activities: Use proper form when lifting, take breaks from repetitive tasks, use tools and devices that reduce joint stress.

Living Well with Arthritis

I have many patients with arthritis who live active, fulfilling lives. The key is early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and lifestyle modifications that support joint health.

Arthritis is a chronic condition, but it doesn’t have to define your life. With the right approach, you can manage symptoms, maintain function, and keep doing the things you love.

If you’re experiencing joint pain, stiffness, or swelling, don’t wait. Early intervention makes a significant difference in long-term outcomes, especially with inflammatory types of arthritis like RA.

Call our Murphy office at (469) 782-0165 to schedule an evaluation. We’ll figure out what’s causing your joint pain and create a treatment plan that works for your life.

Your joints carry you through every day. Let’s take care of them together.

Dr. Hina Zaman, MD
Board-Certified Family Medicine Physician
Family Care USA, PLLC
318 W FM 544, Suite A2
Murphy, TX 75094

Trusted Resources on Arthritis

• Arthritis Foundation: https://www.arthritis.org/
  Comprehensive patient education, support programs, and local resources
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Arthritis: https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/
  Statistics, prevention strategies, and evidence-based recommendations
• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: https://www.niams.nih.gov/
  Research updates and detailed condition information
• American College of Rheumatology: https://www.rheumatology.org/
  Professional guidelines and patient education materials