Arthritis Rehabilitation Specialist in Lee’s Summit, MO

You may have arthritis if your joints feel stiff and sore when waking up in the morning, or after you sit down or lie down for a prolonged period of time. Arthritis can affect you on a daily basis. Physical therapy is a conservative, non-invasive and effective treatment for arthritis, which typically improves articulating joints of the body including hips, knees, shoulders, neck, back and hands.

Arthritis can also affect the spinal column known as degenerative disc disease (DDD) and bone spurs (osteophytes). The primary focus of physical therapy is to regain overall range of motion, flexibility, strength and stability to help improve joint pain, mobility and endurance for improved independence with daily activities.

There are two major types of arthritis which include Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Osteoarthritis is basically caused by “wear and tear” on the joints, particularly cartilage. Our joint’s end surface is covered by a cartilage and this cartilage can be worn out with aging or by traumatic events. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where your joints are attacked by your own immune system, resulting in damaged joints. Rheumatoid arthritis tends to affect joints on both sides and multiple joints at the same time.

Common symptoms of arthritis include:

• Stiffness and soreness of joints, most prominently in the morning
• Pain that gets lessened after moving about 20-30 minutes
• Noisy joints, such as “pops, crackles and grinding” when moving the affected joint
• Worsened pain, stiffness and soreness with a weather change.

Arthritis can cause joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced range of motion, which may make everyday movements more difficult. Depending on the joints affected, a person may have trouble walking, climbing stairs, bending, reaching, gripping objects, or standing for extended periods. Symptoms can also vary from day to day and may become more noticeable after inactivity or repetitive movement.

Physical therapy can focus on maintaining joint mobility, improving muscle strength, and supporting safer movement patterns. An individualized rehabilitation program may help people with arthritis remain active and perform daily activities with greater comfort and independence.

At Prime Physical Therapy in Lee’s Summit, MO, our team begins by evaluating how arthritis affects each patient’s joint mobility, strength, balance, movement patterns, and ability to perform everyday activities. Because arthritis symptoms and functional limitations can differ considerably between individuals, rehabilitation is tailored to each patient’s specific needs and goals.

A personalized arthritis rehabilitation plan may incorporate therapeutic exercises, flexibility and mobility work, strengthening, balance activities, and strategies for performing daily movements more comfortably. Our team can modify the rehabilitation program as the patient progresses, with the goal of supporting mobility, function, and continued participation in everyday activities. Please request an appointment today at Prime Physical Therapy to learn more about our arthritis rehabilitation program. We are conveniently located at 1161 NE Rice Rd Lee’s Summit, MO 64086. We serve patients from Lee’s Summit, MO, Blue Springs, MO, Independence, MO, Raytown, MO, Lake Lotawana, MO, Greenwood, MO, Grain Valley, MO, and surrounding areas!