Specialized Arthritis Treatment

Living with joint pain can fundamentally change your daily life, making once-simple tasks feel monumental. The persistent aches, stiffness, and loss of motion associated with arthritis can impact your work, hobbies, and ability to connect with the people you love.

Philadelphia Hand to Shoulder Center recognizes the profound influence that upper extremity arthritis has on a person’s independence and overall well-being. That’s why our dedicated team focuses exclusively on conditions of the elbow, shoulder, as well as the hand and wrist, providing a sophisticated level of care for individuals dealing with joint deterioration and pain. We are devoted to developing a thorough care plan that helps you manage your condition and regain control over your life’s activities.

What to Know About Upper Extremity Arthritis

Arthritis is a condition characterized by inflammation of one or more of your joints, and it frequently affects the complex joints of the upper extremities. When a person has arthritis, the smooth cartilage that cushions the joints wears down over time, leading to a situation where bone grinds against bone, causing significant pain, swelling, and stiffness.

How this condition progresses varies greatly among individuals; for some, symptoms may develop gradually over many years, while for others, they can appear more rapidly. Common symptoms you might experience include a deep, aching pain, particularly after activity, joint stiffness that is often most pronounced in the morning, a grinding sensation with movement, and visible swelling around the joint.

Types of Arthritis

The term “arthritis” is actually a broad descriptor for over 100 different conditions that affect joints. Although they share common symptoms, such as pain and inflammation, their underlying causes and behaviors differ, which is why a precise diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment. Understanding the specific type of arthritis affecting your upper limbs allows for a more focused and successful approach to managing your symptoms and preserving your joint health for the long term.

Osteoarthritis: This form results from gradual wear and tear on joint cartilage. It often develops with age and tends to affect the base of the thumb, fingertips, or shoulder joint. Bones may form spurs, resulting in stiffness and visible changes to the joints.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: As an autoimmune condition, rheumatoid arthritis causes the immune system to attack joint linings. It typically affects both sides of the body and may start in smaller joints before spreading. Swelling, pain, and joint instability often appear early.
Post-Traumatic Arthritis: This type develops after a joint injury such as a fracture, dislocation, or ligament damage. Even after healing, joint surfaces may remain irregular, increasing friction and triggering inflammation over time.

Arthritis Pain Management in Philadelphia

Finding effective ways to manage arthritis pain is a primary focus of our care, allowing you to return to the activities you enjoy with greater comfort and confidence. We believe in a progressive approach to treatment that begins with the most straightforward and least invasive options available. Your unique situation, including the type and severity of your arthritis, your lifestyle, and your personal goals, will inform the personalized strategy we recommend.

The journey toward relief is a collaborative one, and we are here to guide you through every available option to find what works best for you.

Conservative Treatments

Our first line of defense against arthritis pain almost always involves non-surgical methods designed to reduce inflammation and improve joint function without invasive procedures. These conservative strategies can be remarkably effective, especially in the earlier stages of arthritis, and can often delay or eliminate the need for more advanced interventions.

We might recommend specific activity modifications to reduce stress on the affected joint, along with targeted exercises or formal occupational therapy to strengthen surrounding muscles and improve your range of motion. Other options include supportive splinting or bracing to provide stability and pain-relieving oral or topical anti-inflammatory medications.

Minimally Invasive Procedures

When physical therapy and lifestyle modifications no longer provide adequate relief, we may suggest certain minimally invasive procedures that can offer significant pain reduction with minimal downtime. One of the most common and effective options is a corticosteroid injection, which delivers a powerful anti-inflammatory medication directly into the affected joint to reduce swelling and alleviate pain.

Another option for some joints is viscosupplementation, a procedure involving injections of hyaluronic acid to supplement the natural joint fluid, improving lubrication and cushioning. These treatments can provide temporary yet substantial relief, helping to bridge the gap before surgery becomes a consideration.

Orthopedic Surgery

For individuals with advanced arthritis where cartilage loss is severe and pain is debilitating, surgical intervention can offer the most predictable and lasting relief. The specific procedure our surgeons perform will depend entirely on the affected joint, your age, and your functional demands. Joint fusion, or arthrodesis, is a procedure that permanently fuses the bones of a joint together, eliminating motion but also eliminating the pain caused by bone-on-bone friction.

Joint replacement, or arthroplasty, involves removing the damaged joint surfaces and replacing them with a prosthetic implant. This procedure helps restore movement and provides excellent pain relief. Our team provides world-class shoulder arthritis treatment in Philadelphia, using the latest techniques to help you achieve a better quality of life.

Why Choose Us for Arthritis Care in Philadelphia

Selecting the right medical team is a significant decision on your path to wellness. Our practice is composed of fellowship-trained physicians who have dedicated their careers to the intricate anatomy of the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder. This focused expertise means we possess a vast and nuanced understanding of how arthritis affects these specific joints and the most advanced ways to treat it.

Because we are recognized as the shoulder and wrist arthritis specialists in Greater Philadelphia, we remain committed to combining diagnostic precision with a complete spectrum of treatment options. You will receive care from a team that is actively involved in academic research and is committed to bringing proven innovations to our patients.

Call for Personalized Arthritis Treatment in Philadelphia

You do not have to accept joint pain as a permanent part of your life. A conversation with one of our upper limb specialists is the first step toward understanding your condition and exploring the modern treatment options that can provide genuine relief. When you schedule a consultation, we will listen to your story, perform a thorough evaluation, and discuss a personalized treatment plan that aligns with your needs.

Contact Philadelphia Hand to Shoulder Center today to begin your journey toward less pain and renewed function. We are here to provide the support and expert care you need to move through life more comfortably.