Rheumatology-Backed Osteoarthritis Treatment and Pain Relief
Living with osteoarthritis can feel like an uphill battle, especially when everyday movements bring on that familiar joint pain. Here at Arthritis, Rheumatic & Bone Disease Associates (ARBDA), we understand just how much these symptoms can impact your quality of life, and we’re here to help.
Since 1974, our goal has been to provide specialized treatment options that reduce pain and help patients regain their mobility. Our team includes some of the nation’s leading osteoarthritis doctors who are experts in managing joint pain and inflammation. You deserve top-rated care at every stage, and we’re with you each step of the way.
With 50 years of experience, we know how to tackle complex cases, from knee osteoarthritis to other forms that cause even more severe pain, with treatments that can help bring comfort and make those day-to-day tasks a little easier.
The Best Osteoarthritis Doctors, The Best Care — Right Where You Need It
For decades, ARBDA rheumatologists have helped patients enjoy active lives by managing the pain and other symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Patients can find this exceptional level of advanced osteoarthritis care at six convenient locations throughout Southern New Jersey — right in the communities where they live and work.
Osteoarthritis: Damage to the Joints We Use Most
You may have heard osteoarthritis described as “wear-and-tear” arthritis. Categorized as a degenerative joint disease, this chronic condition causes the protective cartilage in the joints to break down over time. This process can lead to joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, especially in weight-bearing joints like the knees, hips, and hands.
As an example, think of the knee as a feat of incredible engineering: It’s an intricate, hinge-like structure that allows us to walk, sit, and bend. When someone develops osteoarthritis, the cushioned cartilage protecting the bones of the knee, which is meant to enable smooth motion, begins to deteriorate over time.
Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune condition, osteoarthritis is primarily caused by wear and tear on the joints, making it a common condition as we age. Factors such as joint injuries, genetics, and excess weight can also contribute to its development.
As osteoarthritis progresses, the symptoms can worsen, leading to severe pain and difficulty in performing everyday tasks. In more advanced cases, joint replacement surgery may be recommended to restore mobility and relieve pain. Understanding osteoarthritis is the first step in effectively managing it, and our team is here to provide the knowledge and support you need on this journey.
Common Osteoarthritis Symptoms
Osteoarthritis can affect each person differently, but several common symptoms often appear as the disease progresses. Look out for these symptoms:
- Pain in the joints: Often experienced during or after movement, joint pain can range from moderate pain to severe pain that limits mobility and affects quality of life.
- Joint stiffness: This is often most noticeable after periods of inactivity, like waking up in the morning. Stiffness in the affected joints can make it difficult to start moving, although it usually improves once you’re active.
- Loss of flexibility: Osteoarthritis may restrict the range of motion in painful joints, making it hard to perform everyday tasks like bending, reaching, or walking comfortably.
- Swelling and tenderness: Joints affected by osteoarthritis can become swollen and tender to the touch. Inflammation from joint injury or overuse may make symptoms worse in the long term.
- Bone spurs: These are hard lumps that form around the joint. As cartilage deteriorates, the bones in affected joints may create new growths as a response, leading to discomfort and joint inflammation.
Who Is at Risk of Developing Osteoarthritis?
Many people often confuse rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. This is one of the questions that we are asked most often. Simply put, unlike rheumatoid arthritis, which develops because the immune system is not working correctly, osteoarthritis is caused by many factors, most of which are related to daily life.
Rheumatoid arthritis treatment methods will differ from osteoarthritis remedies. That said, a leading factor that can make osteoarthritis worse is obesity. When the knees, shoulders, and hips carry extra weight over a long period of time, the constant increased pressure can damage joints, making the management of osteoarthritis a more painful and difficult task over time.
In addition to normal aging, athletes and “weekend warriors” may develop osteoarthritis earlier than others because of the increased stress and injury that come with these types of activities. Moreover, someone whose work demands continual heavy lifting may suffer from joint injury due to overuse.
Genetics may also play a role in whether someone develops osteoarthritis. For example, if a parent had “bad knees” due to osteoarthritis, there may be a genetic propensity for their children to develop similar problems as they age into adulthood.
Osteoarthritis Diagnosis: How It Works
Your ARBDA rheumatologist is specially trained to evaluate joint problems. They will take a detailed family/medical history and perform a thorough physical exam. Imaging studies (such as an X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI) may be necessary to provide a clearer picture of the extent of joint damage. Should you have excess fluid in the painful joint(s), your osteoarthritis doctor may extract and analyze it to distinguish osteoarthritis from other types of arthritis.
How Do You Treat Osteoarthritis?
It all starts when you partner with an ARBDA osteoarthritis doctor to decipher what treatment works for you — because there’s no one-size-fits all approach. We personalize treatment plans for your specific osteoarthritis symptoms. Treatments may include medications, physical therapy, and, in more severe cases, referral for surgical evaluation to consider joint replacement.
For knee treatment, specifically, there is an injection therapy called viscosupplementation which can replace some of the specific fluid that’s lost over time. This injection, performed by your osteoarthritis doctor, can provide pain relief for up to six months, and is often regarded as one of the more effective knee treatment options for osteoarthritis patients.
Some medical treatments for osteoarthritis target inflammation throughout the body or localized in a single joint and can be used with other therapies to reduce pain in the neck, shoulders, hips, knees, and other joints.
This is similar to the treatment methods used in psoriatic arthritis management, although not exactly the same. Your ARBDA rheumatologist will help you explore all of your options for the management of osteoarthritis. The goal isn’t only to reduce pain but also to restore mobility so you can engage in daily life with minimal discomfort. There’s no better feeling than continuing to do the things you love without being hindered by joint pain.
Lifestyle Modifications to Manage Osteoarthritis
Managing osteoarthritis often involves a combination of medical treatments and lifestyle modifications. Simple changes like maintaining a healthy weight can greatly impact affected joints, particularly weight-bearing ones like the knees and hips.
Your osteoarthritis doctor may discuss how physical therapy, occupational therapy, and/or hydrotherapy (also called “aqua therapy”) could help with the management of osteoarthritis by re-training and strengthening different muscle groups and reducing the stress of particular joints.
Preventive Strategies: Reducing the Risk of Osteoarthritis
While some factors contributing to osteoarthritis, such as age and genetics, cannot be controlled, there are ways to help prevent or delay the onset of this degenerative joint disease.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight: Excess weight adds stress to weight-bearing joints, especially the knees, which can increase the risk of joint pain and osteoarthritis. Keeping a healthy weight can help reduce strain on your joints over time.
- Stay Physically Active: Regular, low-impact exercise like swimming, cycling, and walking can help strengthen the muscles around your affected joints, providing them with better support. It also enhances flexibility and reduces joint inflammation.
- Avoid Joint Injuries: Taking precautions during physical activities, like using proper gear and warming up, can help prevent joint injury, which is a significant risk factor for osteoarthritis.
- Engage in Strength Training: Building muscle strength around your joints, particularly in areas like the knees and hips, can help stabilize them and reduce wear and tear.
- Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to any joint discomfort, stiffness, or pain during activity, and avoid pushing through. Taking breaks and allowing your joints to rest can help prevent aggravation of damaged joints.
Why Choose Rheumatologists to Treat Osteoarthritis?
Rheumatologists are uniquely qualified to treat osteoarthritis, as they specialize in musculoskeletal and autoimmune disorders. With extensive training in managing joint conditions, our osteoarthritis doctors provide comprehensive care that goes beyond basic treatments.
They carefully assess each patient’s condition to create a holistic plan that addresses the underlying causes and symptoms. We want to provide you with lasting pain relief.
Unlike a primary care doctor who may treat osteoarthritis in a more general sense, our rheumatologists possess an in-depth understanding of joint health and the progression of degenerative joint diseases.
Meet with a Top-Rated Osteoarthritis Specialist in New Jersey Today!
Are you struggling with joint pain? Have daily activities become burdensome because your joints no longer work like the good old days?
Turn to ARBDA for unparalleled care. Our clinic, one of the largest rheumatology practices in the country, has served the South Jersey and Philadelphia communities since 1974. We have a team of compassionate, knowledgeable osteoarthritis doctors excited to work with you in developing a personalized plan that addresses your unique needs and long-term health goals.
From pain medications to lifestyle strategies, we’re here to support every aspect of your health journey. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards a life with less pain and greater mobility.