Arthritis Specialist

What causes arthritis?

Arthritis is an umbrella term for over 100 different conditions that lead to joint deterioration. This chronic pain-causing condition can develop for a number of reasons, including:

• Infections (septic arthritis)
• Wear-and-tear (osteoarthritis)
• Autoimmune disease (rheumatoid arthritis)
• Poor diet or high uric acid levels (gout)
• Injury or trauma (post-traumatic arthritis)

You may also have a higher likelihood of developing arthritis if it runs in your family, or if you have inherited deformities that lead to friction in your joints.

When should I see a doctor for arthritis?

Since arthritis progresses and worsens, especially if you don’t get started on treatment early on, it’s important to have an arthritis evaluation at the first sign of joint pain. The top-ranked podiatry team at Hamilton Foot and Ankle Associates recommend booking an exam if you experience any of the following symptoms in your joints.

• Inflammation
• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Redness
• Warmth

Hamilton Foot and Ankle Associates boasts two state-of-the-art New York City-area clinics where you can undergo comprehensive diagnostic testing to evaluate the severity of your arthritis. Your dedicated podiatrist can request digital X-rays or ultrasounds and even order blood tests right in the office, so you can get the answers you need right away.

Which arthritis treatment is best?

Once your podiatrist diagnoses your arthritis and talks with you about how your symptoms affect your daily life, they can get you started on treatment. Your arthritis treatment encompasses several different types of solutions that are designed to relieve current pain and inflammation while promoting healing and delaying arthritis progression. Treating arthritis can involve:

• Bracing
• Custom orthotics
• Physical therapy
• Activity modifications
• Hyaluronic acid injections
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

If your arthritis has caused severe joint deterioration, you might need surgery. Arthritis surgery can involve using an arthroscope to remove loose cartilage, bone spurs, and inflamed synovial tissue, or even fuse bones together.

The specially trained foot and ankle surgeons at Hamilton Foot and Ankle Associates can also perform partial or total joint replacements, including a total ankle replacement if you have a complex case of arthritis.

Click on the online scheduler to book your arthritis evaluation at Hamilton Foot and Ankle Associates today. You can also call either location directly.