Every joint of the body is susceptible to arthritic damage that occurs when cartilage breaks down. At Sutter, we provide patients with proven treatments to help correct the damage, whether it arises from arthritis caused by an injury, infection, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout or other illnesses.

Many Sutter specialists help patients deal with underlying diseases. Sutter rheumatology specialists, for example, provide treatments to slow or halt the progression of rheumatoid arthritis, including new biologic or monoclonal antibody treatments such as anti-tumor necrosis factor and B-cell and T-cell inhibitors. When damage has already occurred, Sutter orthopedic surgeons help restore function and reduce pain from impaired joints.

Diagnosis
When a patient is referred to a Sutter orthopedic surgeon, the first task is to determine the extent of joint damage through diagnostic testing that may include joint fluid analysis, X-ray, computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), joint X-ray (arthrogram), and other tests. The results of testing will enable the surgeon to determine the best course of treatment for each patient's specific condition.

Treatment
For information about treatments available for arthritis damage, see the specific area of the body affected and visit the Health Information Library. Topics related to arthritis include: Ankylosing Spondylitis;Arthritis; Arthritis (Osteoarthritis); Arthritis, Infectious; Arthritis, Juvenile Rheumatoid; Arthritis, Psoriatic; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Bursitis; Fibromyalgia; Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus); Lyme Disease; Osteoporosis; and Tendinitis. Additional information resources include the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease (NIAMS), Arthritis Foundation, and The American College of Rheumatology.

In addition to current treatments, several Sutter orthopedic surgeons are actively involved in clinical trials through Sutter Institute for Medical Research, providing patients access to the latest advances in arthritis treatments. If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial, talk to your surgeon about current clinical trials seeking volunteers.