JOINT PAIN/ARTHRITIS

Dr. Edward Magaziner, MD

CREDENTIALS

Joint Pain/Arthritis (At A Glance):

• Arthritis
• Causes of Osteoarthritis
• Diagnosing The Cause of Osteoarthritis
• Common Treatments
• Regenerative Treatments
• Our Treatment
• Joint Pain
• Causes of Joint Pain
• Diagnosing The Cause of Joint Pain
• Joint Pain Treatment

Joint Pain/Arthritis (Definitions):

1. Arthritis
   There are two main forms of arthritis. One is inflammatory such as Rheumatoid Arthritis and the other is degenerative which usually occurs from wear and tear as we get older known as Osteoarthritis. There are many causes of this. Occasionally there is a genetic predisposition and it can run in families.
   
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2. Causes of Osteoarthritis
   Frequent causes include a short leg or not correcting a flat foot situation. Running on hard surfaces or using poorly fitting sneakers or shoes that provide little or no support is another example. Frequent use of high heel shoes can cause arthritis of the toes or knees. Repetitive joint movements in an occupation or a hobby can also cause it such as knitting all day without proper rest or using a tool for work without good body mechanics.
   
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3. Diagnosing The Cause
   The most important part of caring for patients with neck pain is an accurate diagnosis. Dr. Magaziner uses his years of clinical experience, using a thorough examination and sophisticated diagnostic tools to arrive at his diagnosis. Some of the diagnostic tools are: X-ray, Fluoroscopy, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Bone Scan and Ultrasound.
   
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4. Common Treatments
   Common treatments include rest, lifestyle modification, anti-inflammatory medication, bracing or splinting, correcting leg length or gait abnormalities, strengthening exercises and correcting muscle imbalances. Physical therapy, massage, chiropractic care, Laser and acupuncture can help correct these problems and alleviate the pain in some cases. Good nutrition and vitamins are important which can help protect you from disease progression and reduce inflammation naturally. It is commonly believed that glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, MSM, and omega 3’s fish oil can be helpful. Medical treatments such as anti-inflammatory medication and cortisone injections have no role in preventing or healing the condition but can provide temporary relief.
   
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5. Regenerative Treatments
   More recently there has been some “break through” regenerative treatments that are successful with reducing pain and regenerating the damaged tissue. Unlike other pain reducing procedures, these regenerative procedures help improve the function of the joint for a longer lasting benefit. Examples of these procedures are: PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) and Prolotherapy
   
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6. Our Treatment
   Dr. Magaziner’s philosophy is to start with the more conservative treatments (less invasive) first. If necessary, The Center for Spine, Sports, Pain Management and Orthopedics Regenerative Medicine provides multiple forms of treatment to help patients recover from an acute or chronic conditions. There are many non-surgical treatments which are effective in the treatment of arthritis pain. Some of these treatments include:
   
   • PRP - Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy
   • Stem Cell Grafts
   • Joint Injections
   • Prolotherapy
   • Medication
   • Laser Therapy
   • Acupuncture
   • Chiropractic
   • Physical Therapy
   
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7. Joint Pain
   Many people think joint pain is just a normal part of aging that they have to learn to live with. However, new procedures are available to help people reduce or eliminate their pain, which can make them feel young again. Many times joint pain is not a result of aging but a direct result of damage cause by injury or wear and tear. No matter what causes it, joint pain can interfere with your normal activities and reduce the quality of your life.
   
   To understand the causes of joint pain, you first have to look at the anatomy of a joint. Joints are made up of bone, muscles, synovium, cartilage and ligaments. All of these structures are potential sources of pain. Joints function as a part of the weight bearing system to aid in stability and they also provide you with the ability to move. When a joint is injured and not functioning properly it will affect both stability and mobility along with causing pain.
   
   Millions of people suffer with painful joints. Commonly, people turn to over-the-counter and prescription drugs, but long term use of these drugs could cause serious side effects. It is therefore recommended that you contact a physician for a proper diagnosis and treatment of this condition. We offer many different forms of treatment that are effective in the relief of joint pain.
   
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8. Causes of Joint Pain
   There are many causes of joint pain such as: autoimmune diseases (Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus), bursitis, tendonitis, chondromalacia patella, gout, infectious disease and injury including fracture, sprains, strain and cartilage tears. One of the more common causes is Osteoarthritis. This type of arthritis is caused by wear and tear of the joint secondary to injury, activities and other physical factors such as obesity.
   
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9. Diagnosing The Cause of Joint Pain
   The most important part of caring for patients with joint pain is an accurate diagnosis. Dr. Magaziner uses his years of clinical experience, thorough examination and sophisticated diagnostic tools to arrive at his diagnosis. Some of the diagnostic tools are:
   
   • X-ray and Fluoroscopy
   • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
   • Bone Scan
   • Nerve Studies (Electromyography, or EMG)
   • Ultrasound
   
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10. Joint Pain Treatment
    Dr. Magaziner’s philosophy is to start with the more conservative treatments (less invasive) first. If necessary, The Center for Spine, Sports, Pain Management and Orthopedics Regenerative Medicine provides multiple forms of treatment to help patients recover from acute or chronic conditions.
    
    There are many non-surgical therapies which are effective in the treatment of Joint pain. Some of these treatments include:
    
    • Acupuncture
    • Chiropractic
    • Physical Therapy
    • Medication
    • Nutritional Advice
    • Vitamin Therapy
    • PRP - Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy
    • Prolotherapy Grafts
    • Stem Cell Grafts
    • Joint Injections
    • Laser Therapy
    • Viscosupplemention
    
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