Arthritis is a chronic disease that affects the function and health of your joints. There are many types of arthritis, but one of the most common is Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis causes the breakdown of the protective cartilage that lines the ends of the bones in your joint. Without healthy cartilage, the bones of the joint rub together creating friction, resulting in swelling and stiffness in your joints.
Our pain management experts in Manhattan, The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Hempstead, New York, are committed to helping patients find relief and regain control of their everyday lives.
Osteoarthritis can develop from:
Osteoarthritis of the hand affects the joints in your fingers and thumbs, causing stiffness, pain, and swelling that can make gripping, pinching, and other fine motor tasks difficult.
Hip osteoarthritis develops in the ball-and-socket joint where the thigh bone meets the pelvis. This can lead to pain in the groin, buttock, or thigh that worsens with walking, climbing stairs, or prolonged sitting.
Osteoarthritis in the shoulder occurs in the joint where the upper arm bone meets the shoulder blade, resulting in pain and limited range of motion that can interfere with reaching behind your back, over your head, or across the body.
Seek medical attention if joint pain, stiffness, or reduced mobility interferes with your daily activities. The team at New York Pain Medicine Associate evaluates your condition by conducting a thorough physical exam, as well as possible imaging studies, and a review of your medical history.
Joint injections are a highly targeted and effective treatment option that is designed to provide pain relief and enhance mobility for individuals suffering from osteoarthritis and other pain-causing conditions. This minimally invasive procedure involves administering medication directly into the affected joint, offering fast-acting relief from discomfort.
If other, more conservative methods fail to work, your doctor may recommend surgical procedures to fix serious joint function issues.
Typically a key aspect of treatment for osteoarthritis, physical therapy focuses on strengthening the muscles around the affected joints to provide better support and stability. Through various techniques and modalities, physical therapists help reduce pain and improve joint mechanics, as well as manage inflammation. At New York Pain Medicine Associate, we are connected with an extensive network of physical therapists to whom we will recommend you in order to supplement your treatment.