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Arthritis Specialist

New Jersey Advanced Pain Management Center Ajay Kumar, MD Our Services Arthritis

New Jersey Advanced Pain Management Center

Ajay Kumar, MD

Interventional Spine and Pain Physician & Interventional Pain and Regenerative Therapies located in Hackettstown, NJ, and Matamoras, PA

More than 54 million adults in the United States have arthritis, which causes joint pain and inflammation that may affect mobility and quality of life. Ajay Kumar, MD, at New Jersey Advanced Pain Management Center, is an interventional spine and pain specialist. He develops personalized treatment plans to help people with arthritis get relief from their pain and back to doing the things they enjoy. To schedule a consultation, call the office iin Hackettstown, New Jersey, Matamoras, Pennsylvania, and Warwick New York, or book an appointment online today.

Arthritis Q & A

What is arthritis?

Any pain or stiffness in a joint is arthritis. Though you may consider arthritis a single diagnosis, it’s a general medical term that describes joint pain, inflammation, and a decrease in range of motion.

There are more than 100 different types of arthritis and conditions that cause arthritis. The pain and inflammation may affect any joint in your body. For most people, arthritis worsens over time, which may affect their ability to manage daily activities. 

What are the types of arthritis?

The most common types of arthritis include:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative form that causes the wearing away of the cartilage that separates the bones in your joints. It’s the most common type of arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. People with this type of arthritis develop joint pain and inflammation because their immune system attacks and destroys the joint capsule.  

Gout

Gout causes joint pain and inflammation when uric acid crystals accumulate in the joints. It’s a very painful form of arthritis. 

Psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is also an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the connective tissue in the joints, causing pain and inflammation. People with psoriasis, a chronic skin condition, may develop psoriatic arthritis. 

When should I seek help for arthritis?

Generally, arthritis worsens over time. Seeking help for arthritis during the early stages may prevent or delay permanent joint damage and chronic pain that may lead to disability. 

However, Dr. Kumar recommends you schedule an appointment at New Jersey Advanced Pain Management Center if your arthritis pain is severe or getting worse. No matter the stage of your pain or disease, he can find a treatment to help you get relief. 

How is arthritis treated?

Dr. Kumar takes a conservative approach to the management of arthritis. The specifics of your treatment plan may depend on arthritis type, the severity of your pain, usual activities, and the degree of joint damage.

Initially, he may recommend treatments such as:

  • Anti-inflammatory medication
  • Physical therapy
  • Ice and heat
  • Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
  • Splints or braces

When conservative treatments no longer alleviate your arthritis pain, Dr. Kumar may recommend joint injections, such as steroid injections to reduce inflammation or viscosupplementation to improve joint lubrication.

If needed, he can also refer you to a surgeon to discuss joint repair or replacement. 

To get relief from arthritis, call New Jersey Advanced Pain Management Center, or book an appointment online today.

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