Osteoarthritis Diagnosis & Pain Management Doctors NYC

The back pain specialists Stanford Pain & Sports Medicine of NYC are best in class leaders at diagnosing and treating osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative disease that appears more often than other joint disorder. It literally originates from the wearing down of your joints after decades of use. Osteoarthritis often occurs in older men and women as the cartilage between the bones compacts and dries out, but can occur in younger people as well.

Osteoarthritis s a chronic condition that many in NYC face. According to the Arthritis Foundation, about 27 million Americans are stricken with chronic pain due to osteoarthritis. One in two Americans will suffer from some level of osteoarthritis in their lifetimes. And while it can strike any joint in your body, the most common targets include:

  • Knees
  • Neck
  • Lower back
  • Fingers
  • Hips
  • The base of your big toes or thumbs

Not All Osteoarthritis Is Alike

The level of pain and the actual symptoms can vary greatly depending on which joint is affected.  Some of the effects you may experience can include:

  • Swelling around the affected joint
  • Very limited range of motion with the joint until you’ve warmed it up
  • Cracking and clicking sounds when you move the arthritic joint
  • Worsening pain as the day wears on or after strenuous activities

As an Added Side Effect

Many people feel that since osteoarthritis is inevitable, they might as well just give up trying to get healthy. The symptoms of osteoarthritis certainly do affect your lifestyle — in your social, work and family life.  The chronic pain can also certainly affect your mood and emotional health.

With hip or knee osteoarthritis, you may decide that you can remain more comfortable by leading a more sedentary lifestyle. But that decision can lead to weight gain, which can lead to diabetes, cardiovascular incidents and high blood pressure. Falls are more common when you have OA too, sometimes due to the strong medications you may be taking combined with reduced flexibility, impaired balance and muscle weakness.

It’s Not the End of the Line

Pain management specialists such as the doctors at Stanford Pain and Sports Medicine in NYC are aware of all the consequences that come with aging and osteoarthritis. r

Get the Osteoarthritis Pain Relief You Need

At Stanford Pain and Sports Medicine of NYC , you’ll get osteoarthritis pain management and care you need to reduce or eliminate your acute or chronic osteoarthritis pain. Because when you’re in pain — whether it’s from an accident, age or ailment — you want relief. And appropriate and targeted osteoarthritis pain treatment starts with a diagnosis.

Variety of osteoarthritis pain management modalities are available including:

  • Pain medications
  • Anti-inflammatory medicine
  • Physical activity
  • Stretching
  • Diet
  • Occupational therapy
  • Non-surgical interventions

Your NYC pain management doctor’s goal is to get you back to your normal routine with minimal downtime. After your osteoarthritis diagnosis is confirmed, your doctor begins your treatment plan with the most conservative pain relief treatment. You’ll always receive non-invasive pain relief before your doctor turns to more invasive procedures like surgery.

There are other alternative options such as massage, acupuncture or herbal remedies as well. Assistive devices such as canes, splints, scooters and walkers can help you remain mobile. Jar openers, large, rubber-grip utensil handles and ergonomic chairs and keyboards all can aid in your ability to remain independent.  In some circumstances surgery is an option – you can talk about all of the available options with your pain management doctor.

Stanford Pain & Sports Medicine of NYC
51 East 25th St, 4th Floor, Ste B
New York, NY 10010
(212) 533-3954