Orthopaedics
Inflammatory Orthopaedic Conditions
Skilled specialists at UC Davis Health offer advanced diagnosis and treatment options for all types of inflammatory orthopaedic conditions. We offer personalized care to help you best manage your condition and improve your quality of life.
Medically reviewed by Barton Wise, M.D. on June 26, 2026.
What Are Inflammatory Orthopaedic Conditions?
Inflammatory orthopaedic conditions are chronic diseases that cause inflammation, pain and stiffness in your joints. Although these conditions have no cure, we have treatments to help you reduce and manage your symptoms.
At UC Davis Health, our arthritis and rheumatology specialists work with orthopaedic experts to diagnose and treat inflammatory orthopaedic conditions. We use the latest research and treatments to support our patients in living a full life with these conditions.
On this page
Types of Inflammatory Orthopaedic Conditions
The most common types of inflammatory orthopaedic conditions include:
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
This form of inflammatory arthritis affects your spine, breastbone (sternum) and large joints.
Gout
This type of inflammatory arthritis causes joint pain, often in your big toe.
Lupus
This autoimmune disease leads to joint pain and stiffness.
Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)
This type of arthritis occurs in your joints and areas where connective tissues, like tendons and ligaments, connect to your bones.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
This kind of arthritis affects the lining of your joints and can cause swelling, erosion of bone and joint deformities.
Symptoms of Inflammatory Orthopaedic Conditions
Symptoms vary depending on the type of condition.
Common Symptoms
Some common symptoms of inflammatory orthopaedic conditions include:
- Fatigue
- Joint pain
- Joint stiffness or limited range of motion
- Swollen, tender or warm joints
Causes and Risk Factors of Inflammatory Orthopaedic Conditions
With AS, lupus, PsA and RA, your body’s immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues (autoimmune disease). With gout, a buildup of a waste product in your blood (uric acid) leads to inflammation. Health care providers don’t always know what causes these conditions.
Researchers have pinpointed genes involved with each of these inflammatory orthopaedic conditions. But some people who have these genes never develop the disease.
Specific factors may increase your risk of inflammatory orthopaedic conditions. These factors include:
Environmental Factors
The onset of AS, lupus, PsA and RA may be triggered by chemicals, infections, stress or other environmental factors.
Obesity
Being overweight or obese may lead to gout or PsA.
Sex Hormones
Women are more likely than men to develop an autoimmune disorder such as lupus, PsA or RA.
Smoking
Smoking may trigger lupus or RA.
Diagnosing Inflammatory Orthopaedic Conditions
Our renowned providers at UC Davis Health specialize in diagnosing inflammatory orthopaedic conditions. We first ask you about your symptoms, family history and personal medical history. Then we perform a thorough physical examination, focusing on your affected joints.
If your provider suspects an inflammatory orthopaedic condition, we may recommend imaging tests, such as a CT scan, MRI, ultrasound or X-ray. We may also suggest blood tests to help make the correct diagnosis.
Treatments for Inflammatory Orthopaedic Conditions at UC Davis Health
At the UC Davis Health Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, we specialize in providing comprehensive care for people with inflammatory orthopaedic conditions. Our compassionate team of experts strives to reduce your joint damage and lessen your pain. Treatments we offer include:
Biologics
These types of drugs are made from living sources, such as animals, humans or microorganisms, rather than chemicals. Biologics can help improve your symptoms and manage your condition.
Corticosteroids
We can inject corticosteroids to lessen joint pain and inflammation.
Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)
This type of medication can reduce joint pain and swelling and prevent progression of the damage from the disease.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs can reduce inflammation and pain.
Prescription Medications
Many types of prescription medications can help ease pain and inflammation.
Orthopaedic Surgery
Orthopaedic surgery can repair joints that have severe damage.
Request an Appointment
As Sacramento's No. 1 hospital, you'll benefit from unique advantages in primary care and specialty care. This includes prevention, diagnosis and treatment options from experts in 150 specialties.
Referring Physicians
To refer a patient, submit an electronic referral form or call.
Patients
Call to make an appointment.
Consumer Resource Center
Awards and Recognitions
Ranked among the best in 6 specialties
A U.S. News & World Report best hospital in cancer care, cardiology, heart & vascular surgery, geriatrics, neurology & neurosurgery, orthopedics, and pulmonology & lung surgery.
Ranked among the nation’s best children’s hospitals
U.S. News & World Report ranked UC Davis Children’s Hospital among the best in pediatric nephrology, orthopedics*, and neonatology. (*Together with Shriners Children’s Northern California)
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital by U.S. News, and recognized in 23 types of care including acute kidney failure, cancer care, cardiology, heart & vascular surgery, COPD, colon cancer surgery, diabetes, diabetes & endocrinology, ear, nose & throat surgery, gastroenterology & GI surgery, geriatrics, gynecological cancer surgery, heart arrhythmia, heart attack, heart failure, hip fracture, hip replacement, leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma, lung cancer surgery, neurology & neurosurgery, orthopedics, pneumonia, pulmonology & lung surgery and stroke.
The nation’s highest nursing honor
UC Davis Medical Center has received Magnet® recognition, the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence.
World-class cancer care
One of ~59 U.S. cancer centers designated “comprehensive” by the National Cancer Institute.
A leader in health care equality
For the 13th consecutive year, UC Davis Medical Center has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization.
Latest Orthopaedics News
