Treatment for Arthritis
Arthritis can create discomfort and instability in your joints and worsen with age. It can hold you back and complicate daily tasks. Treatments of arthritis vary based on the type and level of arthritis experienced. At New York Sports Medicine Institute we strive to treat our patients by reducing symptoms of arthritis and minimizing pain. Our orthopedic in Paramus NJ uses a variety of different treatments, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, or surgery.
Early Signs of Arthritis
It is important to be aware of the early signs of arthritis in order to tackle it before it gets worse. Symptoms can occur gradually or all at once depending on the type of arthritis. Symptoms may disappear or reappear with time, but be wary of the symptoms. Some key warning signs of arthritis include the following:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Difficulty moving joint
Types of Arthritis
The two main types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and includes the wearing down of the joint’s cartilage. This wear-and-tear can worsen over time or become sudden due to a joint injury. Osteoarthritis also causes inflammation of the joint lining. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joint capsule, the membrane that encases all the joint parts. Rheumatoid arthritis can eventually destroy the bone and cartilage within the joint without treatment.
Causes of Arthritis
Both types of arthritis can occur based on genetics, health, or a previous injury. Most types of arthritis are linked to multiple factors and are unpredictable. Some causes of arthritis may include:
- Injury
- Abnormal metabolism
- Inheritance
- Infections
- Immune system dysfunction
If you are concerned about these risk factors, contact our orthopedic in Paramus NJ for preventative measures.
Medicinal Treatment
One minimal form of treatment of arthritis is through medication. Medication can treat arthritis by reducing pain or reducing inflammation. Depending on the type of arthritis you have, a doctor may prescribe the following:
Biologic response modifiers- Target protein molecules involved in the immune response.
Corticosteroids- Reduces inflammation and suppresses the immune system.
Counterirritants- Creams and ointments are used to reduce pain.
Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)- Slow the immune system from attacking joints.
Painkillers- Reduce pain, but do not decrease inflammation.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)- Reduce pain and inflammation.
Physical Therapy Treatment
In addition to medicinal approaches, a licensed specialist may recommend physical therapy. In less severe cases, exercises are introduced to the patient to practice in the facility or at home to promote healing. Physical therapy may also be advised as optimal healing following orthopedic surgery for arthritis. If you are interested in physical therapy, contact our orthopedic in Paramus NJ.
Occupational Therapy Treatment
Another less severe treatment of arthritis includes occupational therapy. An occupational therapist will work with arthritis patients by giving practical advice on how to do daily tasks with arthritis. They may also choose specialized aids and equipment. Our orthopedic in Paramus NJ can assist with proactive measures to prevent further damage.
Surgical Treatment
In more severe cases of arthritis, different types of surgery may be suggested. One type of surgery considered for arthritis patients is joint repair. Joint repair surgery consists of realigning or smoothing the joint surfaces to decrease pain and increase functionality. Joint repair surgery can typically be done with small incisions over the joint. Another type of arthritis surgery is joint replacement. Joint replacement is a more invasive procedure where the damaged joint is removed and replaced with an artificial joint. Joint replacement surgery mostly is performed on joints like the hips and knees. The final type of arthritis surgery is joint fusion, which is performed on smaller joints. In this case the wrist, ankle, and fingers. Joint fusion surgery removes the ends of the two bones in the joint and fuses the ends together to create one unit.
Contact Our Orthopedic in Paramus NJ
If you or someone you know is experiencing the symptoms of arthritis contact New York Sports Medicine Institute today. It is critical to confront arthritis early on with treatment before it worsens. Our orthopedic in Paramus NJ is dedicated to helping you relieve the pain of your arthritis and better the quality of your life.