Osteoarthritis Treatment in New Jersey

What Is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic orthopedic disease that involves pain and inflammation of the joints. As the most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis is a degenerative, long-term condition that is characterized primarily by the destruction of cartilage and narrowing of the joint space.

Cartilage plays an important role in the body, serving as the flexible connective tissue that lines your joints. It both absorbs shock and helps facilitate movement; losing it can result in pain and a reduction in mobility.

Osteoarthritis commonly affects the hands, knees, spine, neck and hips, but can occur in any of the joints in the body, such as the base of the fingers, thumbs and toes. It can also lead to bone overgrowth and spur formation which can impede function and mobility. When OA progresses, the final stages of the disease are signified by the complete erosion of cartilage, causing a painful condition where the affected bones rub together at the joint.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are more than 32.5 million adults who have been medically diagnosed with OA. Osteoarthritis symptoms become increasingly common in people as they age, but can also occur in young people as a result of injury or overuse.

What Are the Symptoms of Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis symptoms tend to develop slowly and increase with age. Common OA symptoms include:

  • Pain that becomes more pronounced with ongoing movement
  • Stiffness that occurs after periods of inactivity, such as upon awakening
  • Swelling and inflammation of the soft tissue surrounding the joint
  • Limited flexibility in the affected joint
  • Bone spurs that appear as hard lumps around the affected joint
  • Fatigue

Osteoarthritis can also have psychological impacts due to the limitations to mobility which can lead to social isolation.

What Are the Risk Factors for Osteoarthritis?

Although many people develop osteoarthritis with age, there are a number of factors that are associated with the increased chance of developing OA, particularly at a young age. They include:

  • Heredity. Although the exact inheritance patterns are unknown, the predisposition for osteoarthritis can be passed down in families.
  • Gender. Women are more likely to develop OA with age.
  • Trauma. Accidents and overexertion can lead to bone and joint injury, which makes individuals more susceptible to OA.
  • Obesity. Carrying extra weight increases the pressure on the bones and joints, which can make them more vulnerable to injury and disease.
  • Poor physical fitness. Lack of exercise and weight-bearing exercises can cause bones and joints to become weaker from inactivity.
  • Overuse. Individuals who overuse their joints, such as athletes, members of the military and those who have physically demanding careers put added pressure on their bones and joints, which contribute to wear and tear.

Diagnosing Osteoarthritis

The first signs of osteoarthritis may include stiffness or swelling in the hips, knees, fingers, elbows, wrists, feet or spine. As the disease progresses, the cartilage in the affected joints continues to wear down. This condition is often associated with pain and limitations in flexibility and range of motion.

Combined with a physical examination, osteoarthritis may be diagnosed through the following imaging technologies and tests:

  • X-ray. While cartilage cannot be seen on x-ray images, it allows your doctor to observe any narrowing between your bones and joints, as well as the degree of joint damage that has occurred. It may also rule out other forms of arthritis.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Through magnetic waves, this technology can show soft tissue inflammation, swelling and signs of cartilage degradation.

While blood tests cannot diagnose osteoarthritis, they may be performed to rule out different types of inflammatory arthritis.

Treatment for Osteoarthritis

As the largest health network in the state, award-winning RWJBarnabas Health is a trusted provider of orthopedic, arthritis and osteoarthritis treatment in New Jersey. With access to the latest technologies, our knowledgeable surgeons, physicians, physician assistants, registered nurses, physical therapists, care coordinators and medical professionals provide a variety of treatments and therapies that are beneficial to increasing joint function and minimizing the symptoms of osteoarthritis.

By improving mobility, we may empower our patients to resume their normal daily activities and live more active, fulfilling lives.

Some of the therapies and treatments offered at RWJBarnabas Health include:

  • Physical therapy including exercises to strengthen the body and improve range of motion
  • Therapeutic treatments such as deep heating and paraffin treatments
  • Assistance with adaptive equipment, such as walkers, to foster independence
  • Medications to reduce inflammation and manage pain
  • Injections and steroid cortisone to quiet inflammation or to lubricate the affected joints
  • Radiation therapy to reduce inflammation, improve mobility and ease pain
  • Joint replacement surgery for advanced cases that do not respond to other treatments

Managing Osteoarthritis

Although osteoarthritis does not currently have a cure, it is manageable. When combined with medical intervention, many individuals are able to manage symptoms through a combination of:

  • Light exercise
  • Adequate sleep
  • Healthy lifestyle practices

Many find the following helpful as well:

  • Therapeutic rubs or creams
  • Massage
  • Anti-inflammatories or injections to manage pain

Do you have questions about osteoarthritis treatment? RWJBarnabas Health can help.

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Patient Stories

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Patient Stories

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200 South Orange Avenue
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368 Lakehurst Rd
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(732) 557-3363
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186 County Road 520
Suite 3
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(732) 946-2100
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2 Hamilton Health Place
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(609) 245-7390
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The Jacqueline M. Wilentz Breast Center at Howell
4013 Route 9
Suite 2S
Howell, NJ 07731
(732) 923-7700
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The Jacqueline M. Wilentz Breast Center at Colts Neck
310 Route 34 South
Second Floor
Colts Neck, NJ 07722
(732) 923-7700
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1 Patriots Park
TD Bank Park
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
(908) 203-5972
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RWJ Sports Physical Therapy at Flemington
295 State Highway 31/202
Flemington, NJ 08822
(908) 806-2000
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Care Connection at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway
865 Stone Street
4th floor
Rahway, NJ 07065
(732) 499-6460
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RWJ Sports Physical Therapy at Hillsborough
1 Jill Court
Building 16 Suite 20
Hillsborough, NJ 08844
(908) 359-8800
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RWJ Sports Physical Therapy at Princeton
743 Alexander Road
Suite 2
Princeton, NJ 08540
(609) 419-0455
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Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center Rehabilitation at the JCC MetroWest
760 Northfield Avenue, Suite 210A
West Orange, NJ 07052
(973) 325-9100
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Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
94 Old Short Hills Road
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 322-5000
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Monmouth Medical Center
300 Second Avenue
Long Branch, NJ 07740
(732) 222-5200
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Clara Maass Medical Center
1 Clara Maass Drive
Belleville, NJ 07109
(973) 450-2000
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Community Medical Center
99 Highway 37 West
Toms River, NJ 08755
(732) 557-8000
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Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
201 Lyons Avenue at Osborne Terrace
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 926-7000
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Children's Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
201 Lyons Avenue at Osborne Terrace
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 926-7000
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Jersey City Medical Center
355 Grand Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 915-2000
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The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's Hospital at RWJUH
200 Somerset Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 828-3000
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RWJ University Hospital Rahway
865 Stone Street
Rahway, NJ 07065
(732) 381-4200
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RWJBarnabas Health at Exchange Place
95 Greene Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 499-8720
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RWJ University Hospital Somerset
110 Rehill Avenue
Somerville, NJ 08876
(908) 685-2200
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Trinitas Regional Medical Center – Williamson Street Campus
225 Williamson St
Elizabeth, NJ 07202
(908) 994-5000
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The Unterberg Children's Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center
300 2nd Avenue
Long Branch, NJ 07740
(732) 923-7250
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Children's Specialized Hospital Outpatient Center – East Brunswick
645 State Route 18
East Brunswick, NJ 08816
(888) 244-5373
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RWJ Physical Therapy at Carteret
60 Cooke Avenue
Carteret, NJ 07008
(732) 969-8030
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RWJ Physical Therapy at Scotch Plains
2120 Lamberts Mill Road
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
(908) 389-5400
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Jersey City Medical Center's Ambulatory Care Center
395 Grand Street
Jersey City, NJ 07304
(201) 915-2410
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RWJ University Hospital Hamilton
1 Hamilton Health Place
Hamilton, NJ 08690
(609) 586-7900
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Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
1 Robert Wood Johnson Place
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 828-3000
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Jersey City Medical Center Women's Health at Grove Street
116 Newark Avenue
(at Grove Street PATH Plaza)
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 984-1270
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RWJ Hamilton Diagnostic & Treatment Center
1 Sheffield Drive
Suite 202
Columbus, NJ 08022
(609) 584-6640
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RWJ Rehabilitation - Columbus
1 Sheffield Drive
Columbus, NJ 08022
(609) 227-4592
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Jersey City Medical Center Outpatient Services at Colony Plaza
414 Grand Street
Suite 14
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 616-0470
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Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus
600 River Avenue
Lakewood, NJ 08701
(732) 363-1900
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RWJ Rehabilitation - Hamilton
3100 Quakerbridge Road
Hamilton, NJ 08619
(609) 584-6640
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Children's Specialized Hospital Outpatient Center – Egg Harbor Township
6106 Black Horse Pike
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
(609) 645-7779
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Children's Specialized Hospital Outpatient Center – Clifton
1135 Broad Street
Clifton, NJ 07013
(973) 365-3071
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Trinitas Children's Therapy Services
899 Mountain Ave
Suite 1-A
Springfield, NJ 07081
(973) 218-6394
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The Family Health Center (FHC) at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
166 Lyons Avenue
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 926-7000
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RWJ Physical Therapy at New Brunswick
100 Kirkpatrick Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 545-0494
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The Center for Ambulatory Surgery
1450 Route 22 West
Mountainside, NJ 07092
(888) 590-6849
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Short Hills Surgery Center
187 Millburn Avenue
Suite 102
Milburn, NJ 07041
(973) 671-0555
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Hudson Crossing Surgery Center
2 Executive Drive
Suite 102
Fort Lee, NJ 07024
(201) 470-6977
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RWJ Rehabilitation Lawrenceville
4152 Quakerbridge Road
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
(609) 245-7420
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Cancer Center at RWJ Hamilton
2575 Klockner Road
Hamilton Township, NJ 08690
(609) 631-6960
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Children's Specialized Hospital Outpatient Center – Union
2840 Morris Avenue
Kenneth Esdale Pavilion
Union, NJ 07083
(888) 244-5373
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Jersey City Medical Center Rehabilitation Services
100 Town Square Place
Suite 208
Jersey City, NJ 07310
(201) 915-2000
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