Orthopedic Physical Therapy Associates is pleased to announce our new partnership with the Arthritis Foundation to raise funds to find a cure for arthritis and to help improve the lives of over 46 million people who suffer from some form of the disease.
To make it easier for you to donate, Orthopedic Physical Therapy Associates has formed a team page for the Greater LA Arthritis Walk. Click here to visit our page and donate.
Although the event has passed, all donations will continue to be given to the Arthritis Foundation. The donations are tax deductible and will be used to help patients with arthritis as well as their families and health care providers. You can find out more at the Arthritis Foundation home page: www.arthritis.org.
OPTA is committed to helping those who suffer from some form of arthritis as well as working to prevent its spread. We thank you for your support in fighting these terrible conditions.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic disease that affects over 27 million Americans. OA is characterized by the breakdown of cartilage – the part of a joint that cushions the ends of the bones and allows easy movement. As cartilage deteriorates, bones begin to rub against one another. This can cause stiffness and pain that makes it difficult for you to use that joint. Osteoarthritis can also damage ligaments, menisci and muscles. Over time OA may create a need for joint replacements.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a form of inflammatory arthritis and an autoimmune disease. For reasons no one fully understands, in rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system – which is designed to protect our health by attacking foreign cells such as viruses and bacteria – instead attacks the body’s own tissues, specifically the synovium, a thin membrane that lines the joints. As a result of the attack, fluid builds up in the joints, causing pain in the joints and inflammation that’s systemic – meaning it can occur throughout the body.
Juvenile Arthritis (JA) is an umbrella term used to describe the many autoimmune and inflammatory conditions that can develop in children ages 16 and younger. As JA’s prevalence rises, researchers and doctors alike are working to develop a more sophisticated understanding of the differences between the different forms.
