Arthritis Specialist

Central Jersey Hand Surgery

Hand and Upper Extremity Surgeons located in Eatontown, Freehold, & Toms River, NJ

Around 40 million Americans live with arthritis and suffer from painful, stiff, and swollen joints. The team of board-certified orthopedic physicians at Central Jersey Hand Surgery in Eatontown, and Toms River, New Jersey, offers expert diagnosis and treatment for arthritis in your hands and wrists. If arthritis-related hand and wrist pain interfere with your quality of life, call Central Jersey Hand Surgery or schedule a consultation online today.

Arthritis Q & A

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is a group of over 100 different conditions that cause joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. Arthritis can be severely debilitating, especially in your hands and wrists, which have many small joints that allow dexterous finger movements and the ability to grasp and hold small objects.

Osteoarthritis, the degenerative type of the disease, is the most prevalent type of arthritis. It develops when the cartilage that cushions and protects your joints wear away. As a result, there’s no protection for your bones as they rub together, which leads to increased friction, irritation, and inflammation.

Hand on the Left-

Pre-op appearance of fingers affected by Rheumatoid Arthritis with ulnar drift and dislocated MP joints

Hand on the Right-

Post-op correction showing realignment of the fingers after MP Joint Arthroplasty

Other common types of arthritis include rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that damages the synovial lining in your joints. Gout occurs when excessive levels of uric acid leave crystallized deposits in your joints.

What are the symptoms of arthritis?

Pain is the most common symptom of arthritis. As the joints in your hand become inflamed, your pain and stiffness increase and eventually interfere with your ability to move your fingers and hands. Most types of arthritis emerge after the age of 40 and become worse with age.

How is arthritis diagnosed?

If you have symptoms of arthritis, the team at Central Jersey Hand Surgery provides comprehensive exams to confirm the cause of your pain. Your doctor may order X-rays or MRIs to see your joints in more detail and order blood work to look for signs of gout or rheumatoid arthritis.

They also ask about your symptoms and personal and family medical history. Arthritis often has a genetic component, so if you have a family member with the disease, your risk of developing the condition increases.

How is arthritis treated?

The team at Central Jersey Hand Surgery provides customized treatment plans to treat arthritis. They usually start with noninvasive treatments such as anti-inflammatory medicines and steroid or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections.

Your doctor may also recommend a topical cream or ointment to relieve pain and stiffness. Physical therapy and massage may also alleviate your pain and improve your mobility.

If you have severe arthritis, the experts at Central Jersey Hand Surgery offer surgical procedures to repair and restore the arthritic joints in your hands and wrists.

Call Central Jersey Hand Surgery or make an appointment online today for expert, personalized treatments to manage your arthritis.

What we offer