05/11/2026
National Arthritis Month: Understanding Arthritis & Medical Management
Arthritis isn’t just one condition- it’s an umbrella term for over 100 different joint conditions, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and more. About 21% of the adult US population (over 50 million people!) have been diagnosed with and are living with some form of arthritis. Correct diagnosis and medical management requires the expertise of a physician, but here’s an overview of arthritis: what causes it and how to manage it.
Osteoarthritis is not your joints “breaking down” beyond repair. Age does play a role, but arthritis is not simply “wear and tear”. Common causes of arthritis include:
- Normal age related changes.
- Autoimmune conditions.
- Prior injury or trauma.
- Genetic predisposition and body weight.
- Muscle weakness and poor joint support.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, most often affecting the knees, hips, hands, spine, and shoulders. The good news? Osteoarthritis is manageable. Many people live active, fulfilling lives with it. Treatments include a variety of approaches including oral medication, injections, physical therapy, lifestyle changes, or sometimes surgery.
Physical therapy is a first-line, evidence based treatment for many types of arthritis. Most physicians encourage PT before considering other options. To quote one of our therapists, Noah- “PT is relatively cheap and available, with pretty much no side effects”. At JGPT, we recognize that every person is an individual: there are innumerable biological, psychological, and contextual variables that play a role in a person’s experience of arthritis. We also recognize that different people have different goals for treatment. Research supports the role of physical therapy as an alternative to, or in complement to surgery. In some populations, outcomes with conservative management can be just as effective as joint replacement for improving quality of life and physical function.
Conservative care, including PT, is strongly recommended before considering surgery. If after some time things just aren’t getting better, sometimes surgery might be the best choice for improving physical ability. We always recommend discussing with and getting a surgeon’s opinion, but ultimately this comes down to your (the patient’s) choice. If you decide surgery is the best option for you, pre- and post-operative physical therapy improves outcomes after joint replacement and reduces long-term disability.
At John Goetze Physical Therapy, we work with you and your medical team to create a personalized plan. Whether your goal is to manage arthritis conservatively or prepare for and recover from surgery, our team is here to support you.