At offices in Englewood Cliffs, Somerset, Monroe Township, Freehold, and Clark, New Jersey, the experienced pain management physicians provide arthritis treatments to those who need expert care. The team offers a variety of conservative treatments and surgery to restore your joint function and get you back to an active lifestyle. To schedule a pain management consultation for arthritis, call the University Pain and Spine Center nearest you or request an appointment online today.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) of the Hand
Rheumatoid arthritis, a condition that can attack joints throughout the body, commonly affects the joints and surrounding tendons of the wrist and fingers. It can cause the joints to become swollen, painful and possibly deformed. This can interfere with normal hand function. It can significantly impact a person’s quality of life.
Treatment options include anti-inflammatory medications, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, and a class of drugs called biological response modifiers (commonly called biologics). A physician may recommend splints or braces, exercise, and modification of daily activities. If joint synovitis cannot be controlled with medications, or if the tendons of the hand and wrist become inflamed or weakened by the disease, surgery may be needed. Surgery may also be needed to correct deformities of the fingers that often result from the disease
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a chronic disease that affects the health and function of your joints. There are more than 100 types of arthritis, but the two most common are:
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis causes the breakdown of the protective cartilage that lines the ends of the bones in your joint. Without healthy cartilage, your joint bones rub together and create friction that causes swelling and stiffness in your joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of autoimmune disease. This kind of arthritis causes your immune system to mistakenly attack the otherwise healthy joint lining, leading to chronic inflammation. Over time, inflamed joints become harder to move and painful.
Your risk for arthritis increases as you age, if you’re obese, or if you have a history of joint injuries.
When should I seek treatment for arthritis?
Arthritis is a progressive disease. While your symptoms may start out as occasional and mild, they can intensify over time. You should schedule an evaluation at the University Pain and Spine Center if you experience:
- Chronic pain
- Persistent swelling
- Loss of joint function
- Noticeable joint deformity
You can also request a consultation if you have persistent joint pain that isn’t getting better with rest and over-the-counter medications.
While there’s no cure for arthritis, the right treatment can relieve your symptoms and ensure you enjoy high-quality, active life.
What treatments are available for arthritis?
Your University Pain and Spine Center doctor confirms that your symptoms relate to arthritis through a physical exam, X-rays, and other imaging tests. They customize a treatment plan based on the affected joint and how severe your pain. Options include:
Medication
Typically, initial treatment for arthritis involves anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medications to keep you comfortable.
Physical therapy
On-site physical therapy services enhance your healing process and strengthen the muscles that support the arthritis joint.
Viscosupplementation
Viscosupplementation involves injections of a thick hyaluronate fluid into the affected joint. The fluid lubricates the joint structures to increase your mobility.
Joint injections
If oral medications aren’t enough to treat your arthritis symptoms, you may need ultrasound-guided injections of a numbing agent and anti-inflammatories directly into the joint.
Regenerative medicine
The University Pain and Spine Center offers platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapy. These innovative treatments trigger your body’s ability to regenerate healthy joint tissue and bone and ease pain and inflammation.
Prolotherapy is another type of regenerative medicine that involves injections of a natural irritant into inflamed joints to stimulate your body’s internal healing processes.
If chronic pain or joint stiffness from arthritis limits your abilities, call the University Pain and Spine Center nearest you to book an appointment or request one online today.