Queens Osteoarthritis Specialists

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and occurs most frequently in the spine, neck, hips, knees, feet, and fingers, though it can affect any joint in the body. It typically occurs due to wear and tear on joints over time. As a result, it occurs most frequently in older people, although people of any age may suffer from osteoarthritis.

Although joint stress and injury are linked to osteoarthritis, it’s unclear what the exact causes of this disease are. Aside from age, you may also be at greater risk of developing it due to obesity, genetics, and certain metabolic diseases such as diabetes. Gender can also play a role, as women over the age of 55 are at greater risk of osteoarthritis than men of the same age.

Joints affected by osteoarthritis become stiff, preventing you from reaching your full potential range of motion while performing an activity. The joint may also cause a grating noise or sensation while using it and feel tender or sensitive. Increased pain may be stimulated by touch.

Bone spurs can also form around joints impacted by osteoarthritis, leading to the growth of a lump around the joint that feels hard to the touch. Additionally, swelling due to soft tissue inflammation around the joint may occur.

Our Queens osteoarthritis specialists use a variety of treatment approaches for this disease, including pharmaceutical, non-pharmaceutical, and surgical treatments.

Medications such as acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and duloxetine are often used to treat this disease. Acetaminophen and NSAIDs are commonly used to relieve pain for a wide range of medical conditions; duloxetine, while standardly prescribed as an antidepressant, is also used to relieve chronic pain.

Non-pharmaceutical approaches to osteoarthritis include weight loss, exercise, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), which relieves pain using a low-voltage electrical current. A physical therapist can help guide and ease you into physical activities that can help relieve pain over time.

If none of these treatments provide effective or lasting relief for your osteoarthritis pain, however, your doctor may recommend one of several potential procedures, including injections of a corticosteroid or joint lubricant, bone realignment, or joint replacement surgery.