Arthritis Treatment in Singapore
Arthritis is a group of conditions that affect the joints, causing symptoms such as pain, stiffness, swelling and reduced mobility. Although it is commonly associated with ageing, arthritis can affect people of all ages and may develop for a variety of reasons.
At Aaria Rheumatology, we provide comprehensive assessment and treatment for a wide range of arthritic conditions, helping patients understand the cause of their symptoms and develop an appropriate long-term management plan.
What Is Arthritis?
Arthritis is not a single disease but an umbrella term for a group of conditions that affect the joints. Depending on the type, arthritis may develop gradually due to age-related wear and tear or result from inflammation, infection or an abnormal immune response.
What Are the Common Symptoms of Arthritis?
The symptoms of arthritis vary depending on the underlying condition, but many forms share common features. These symptoms may develop gradually or appear more suddenly, and can range from mild discomfort to persistent pain that affects daily activities.
Common symptoms of arthritis include:
Joint pain
Warmth or tenderness over the joints
Joint stiffness, particularly after periods of rest or upon waking
Reduced range of movement or flexibility
Swelling around the affected joints
Difficulty performing everyday activities due to joint discomfort
Some inflammatory forms of arthritis may also cause symptoms beyond the joints, such as fatigue, low-grade fever or inflammation affecting the eyes, skin or other organs. As the symptoms of different types of arthritis can overlap, an accurate diagnosis is important in determining the underlying cause and appropriate treatment.
What Causes Arthritis?
Arthritis develops when the normal structure and function of a joint are disrupted. The underlying reason for this differs between the various forms of arthritis, with each affecting the joints in different ways.
Degenerative changes
Age-related wear and tear can gradually break down the cartilage that cushions the joints, increasing friction and reducing smooth joint movement.
Autoimmune disease
In conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy joint tissues, leading to persistent inflammation and progressive joint damage.
Crystal deposition
In conditions such as gout and pseudogout, microscopic crystals accumulate within the joints and trigger the immune system, causing episodes of inflammation, pain and swelling.
Infection
Some types of arthritis develop during or after bacterial or viral infections, either because the infection directly affects the joint or because the immune response continues after the infection has resolved.
Genetic and lifestyle factors
Factors such as age, family history, previous joint injuries, body weight and occupation may increase the risk of developing certain forms of arthritis.
What Are the Different Types of Arthritis?
Although many forms of arthritis share similar symptoms, they differ in their underlying causes, the joints they affect and how the condition progresses.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis develops when the protective cartilage cushioning the ends of the bones gradually wears down over time. As the cartilage deteriorates, the bones rub more closely together, causing the joints to become painful, stiff and less mobile.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints. Persistent inflammation causes the joint lining to thicken, gradually damaging the cartilage and bone, and may also affect other organs throughout the body.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory form of arthritis that may occur in people with psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin condition. The same immune response that affects the skin can also cause inflammation in the joints, tendons and surrounding tissues, and may lead to permanent joint damage if left untreated.
Spondyloarthritis
Spondyloarthritis primarily affects the spine and sacroiliac joints, where the spine meets the pelvis. Persistent inflammation can reduce spinal flexibility over time, while some forms may also affect the peripheral joints, tendons and ligaments.
Reactive Arthritis
Reactive arthritis is an inflammatory form of arthritis that develops after certain bacterial infections, most commonly affecting the gastrointestinal or urinary tract. Although the infection has resolved, the immune response continues to trigger inflammation within the joints.
Post-Infective Arthritis
Post-infective arthritis is a form of inflammatory arthritis that occurs after an infection has resolved. Unlike reactive arthritis, it may develop following a wider range of infections, with the body’s ongoing immune response continuing to cause inflammation within the joints.
Gout
Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by the build-up of microscopic uric acid crystals within the joints. These crystals trigger a sudden immune response, resulting in episodes of severe joint pain, swelling, redness and tenderness, most commonly affecting the big toe.
Pseudogout
Pseudogout, also known as calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) disease, is another form of inflammatory arthritis caused by crystals in the joint. While its symptoms can resemble gout, it is caused by a different type of crystal and more commonly affects larger joints such as the knees and wrists.
How Is Arthritis Diagnosed?
Many forms of arthritis present with similar symptoms, making an accurate diagnosis essential. Detailed assessments are often needed to establish a clear diagnosis and guide the most appropriate treatment approach.
The diagnosis process may involve:
Discussion of your symptoms
Your rheumatologist will ask about your symptoms, when they began, how they have changed over time and whether you have a personal or family history of arthritis or autoimmune disease.
Physical examination
Your rheumatologist will examine the affected joints for pain, swelling, tenderness, warmth, stiffness, range of movement and signs of joint damage or deformity.
Blood tests
Blood tests may be performed to look for markers of inflammation, autoimmune diseases or other abnormalities that help identify the underlying cause.
Imaging
X-rays, ultrasound or MRI scans may be recommended to assess the joints, detect inflammation and evaluate the cartilage, bone and surrounding soft tissues.
Joint aspiration
Where appropriate, your rheumatologist may remove a small sample of joint fluid to check for infection or crystals associated with conditions such as gout and pseudogout.
By combining these findings, our rheumatologist can distinguish between the different forms of arthritis and develop a treatment plan tailored to the underlying condition.
How Is Arthritis Treated and Managed?
At Aaria Rheumatology, we understand that living with arthritis can make everyday activities increasingly difficult, from getting out of bed in the morning to working, exercising or enjoying time with family and friends.
Whether your symptoms are mild or more advanced, our approach focuses on helping you manage pain, maintain mobility and continue doing the activities that matter most to you. As every form of arthritis is different, treatment is always tailored to your diagnosis, symptoms and individual goals.
Your treatment plan may include:
Medications
Your rheumatologist may prescribe medications to relieve pain, reduce inflammation or control the underlying disease process, depending on the type of arthritis.
Physiotherapy
We may recommend physiotherapy to improve joint mobility, strengthen the muscles supporting your joints and help maintain flexibility and function.
Lifestyle guidance
We provide practical advice on exercise, weight management and joint protection strategies to help reduce strain on your joints and support your long-term joint health.
Joint injections
Where appropriate, injections may be recommended to help relieve pain and inflammation in specific joints.
Surgery
For some people with advanced joint damage or persistent symptoms that do not respond to conservative treatment, surgery may be considered as part of their overall management plan.
Arthritis is often a lifelong condition, and your needs may change over time. At Aaria Rheumatology, we are committed to supporting you beyond your initial diagnosis through regular follow-up, ongoing assessment and treatment adjustments where needed. By building a long-term partnership with our patients, we aim to help you manage your arthritis with confidence and continue living as actively and comfortably as possible.
Long-Term Arthritis Care at Aaria Rheumatology
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to arthritis. As the different forms of arthritis have distinct underlying causes and patterns of progression, an accurate diagnosis is essential to ensure you receive the most appropriate care from the outset. Early assessment may help identify arthritis before irreversible joint damage develops, and allow treatment to begin promptly where needed.
At Aaria Rheumatology, Rheumatologist Dr Anindita Santosa provides comprehensive assessment and management for a wide range of arthritic conditions. She takes the time to listen to your concerns, understand your goals and ensure you feel informed and supported throughout your care. By combining evidence-based rheumatology with a compassionate, patient-centred approach, Dr Anin works alongside you to help you navigate your condition with greater confidence.
If you are experiencing persistent joint pain, swelling or stiffness, contact us today to arrange a consultation.
