How Your Immune System Can Trigger Arthritis

Arthritis is painful inflammation and stiffness of one or more joints, causing pain and stiffness, not due to an injury, lasting for six weeks or more.

Inflammation and arthritis pain is an autoimmune response from your body. Untreated inflammation can permanently damage your joints.

“The immune system is involved in 85% of arthritis cases,” says Dr. Jay Adlersberg, a rheumatologist at New York Health. “In those incidences, arthritis causes persistent pain and swelling in the joints.”

New York Health’s network of physicians specializing in primary and specialty services provides coordinated care for any arthritis diagnosis. Recommendations suggest patients with joint pains that are a cause of concern to make an appointment with their primary care physician, who will coordinate care with a rheumatologist if necessary. 

To determine the cause of inflammation, the physician will perform a thorough examination and may do appropriate testing, such as blood tests or X-rays, to identify if the joints are damaged, leading to the proper treatment.

“Treatments can run the gamut from physical therapy to drugs that affect the immune system,” Dr. Adlersberg said. “It's important to try to keep your immune system as healthy as possible.”

New York Health’s team of physical therapists will treat patients and show them exercises to help get rid of muscle cramps and spasms at home. Although strengthening your immune system is impossible, maintaining a healthy weight will prevent extra pressure on the hips, knees, and bones. 

“The immune system may cause arthritis, but it also can protect you. Help it out,” says Dr. Adlersberg by getting the COVID-19 vaccine. “The vaccines will stimulate the immune system to fight against COVID-19 and are available for everyone now.” Dr. Adlersberg encourages everyone to get vaccinated. 

“That’s what your immune system is there for, to make the vaccine work. Your immune system can work for you if you let it,” Dr. Adlersberg said.