New Jersey Osteoarthritis Treatment

Osteoarthritis is a painful degenerative disorder for which there is no cure. Fortunately, there are several treatment methods that help you prevent and treat flare-ups. At High Mountain Orthopedics, we can help diagnose your symptoms and make sure you receive the best possible care. Our caring staff members work to treat you and your loved ones like family, so you’ll have a good experience each time you schedule a visit.

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis our physicians treat at High Mountain Orthopedics. As you age, the protective cartilage that provides a cushion between your bones breaks down. While the condition can affect any joint on the body, osteoarthritis typically affects the hands, knees, hips and spine.

It’s important to understand that your symptoms can start off mildly, which is the best time to schedule a visit to High Mountain. This is especially true if you experience pain and stiffness that doesn’t go away on its own. As your condition advances, you may experience pain, stiffness, tenderness, loss of flexibility, bone spurs and even swelling around the joints. Regardless of how your arthritis is affecting you, we can help.

There are several factors that can increase your risk of getting osteoarthritis. When you schedule a visit with us, we can go over these factors and help pinpoint whether you have arthritis or something else. The risk for developing the disease increases as individuals age. Women are more likely than men to develop osteoarthritis, and athletes with previous injuries may develop the condition over time. Joint injuries, repeated stress, genetics and certain metabolic diseases also put an individual at risk.

When you visit High Mountain Orthopedics, one of our physicians will perform a complete exam and look at your medical history. X-rays and an MRI may be used to detect narrowed spaces between the bones in the joint and to get detailed images of your bones and soft tissues. We may also perform several laboratory tests, including blood work and joint fluid analysis to test for inflammation and to ensure there is nothing else going on within your body that could be causing the pain.

Once it’s been determined you have osteoarthritis, one of our physicians will talk to you about an appropriate plan of treatment. Most times you’ll be given a prescription to help you deal with the pain. Over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help tackle mild to moderate pain. Occasionally, your orthopedic doctor may prescribe an antidepressant to help treat chronic pain.

Aside from medications, High Mountain Orthopedics may also recommend physical therapy. A physical therapist can give you a series of exercises to increase your flexibility, strengthen the muscles around the affected area and help reduce pain. An occupational therapist may also be able to show you how to modify daily tasks to help you relieve stress on the joints.

In some severe cases, our doctors may recommend corticosteroid injections, lubrication injections, chiropractic adjustments or joint replacement surgery.

If you experience joint pain on a daily basis and conventional methods of relief aren’t working, High Mountain Orthopedics may be able to help. Contact our offices in New Jersey at 973-595-7779 in Wayne or our physical therapy line at 973-321-1790. We are open Monday through Friday for your convenience and open until 6 PM on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays.