What Doctor Treats Osteoarthritis? Top FAQs About Knee Pain Doctors in New York

If you have joint pain, knee or hip pain, or the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis, you may wonder, “what doctor treats osteoarthritis?” You may also wonder what an arthritis specialist is called or which doctor you should consult for joint pain. Should you contact an orthopedist, rheumatologist, primary care doctor, pain treatment specialist, or someone else? Numerous doctors are qualified to diagnose and treat osteoarthritis and its symptoms.

Knee Pain Doctor is a state-of-the-art medical center specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of joint pain and osteoarthritis in New York City. Our medical center is led by board-certified interventional pain specialists who diagnose and treat the root cause of knee or hip pain, not just the symptoms. We only provide conservative or minimally invasive treatments to alleviate joint pain without relying on surgical intervention or opioids.

You can find our knee pain doctors at 290 Madison in Midtown Manhattan, a short walk from the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building. We also have a state-of-the-art pain treatment center in the Financial District, a short walk from the 9/11 Tribute Museum and the New York Stock Exchange. Depending on your location, please schedule an appointment with your nearest knee pain doctor in New York City.

Below, we describe the types of doctors who diagnose and treat osteoarthritis.

Primary care doctors manage the symptoms of osteoarthritis with standard solutions, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy referrals. They administer x-rays to examine the internal structure of your bones, following which they determine if you have severe joint problems besides osteoarthritis. If you need more intense management, the primary care doctor may refer you to other rheumatologists, orthopedic doctors, or pain specialists.

Rheumatologists are medical doctors specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions related to the musculoskeletal system and the immune system, such as rheumatoid arthritis. They treat all types of arthritic conditions, but they primarily focus on rheumatoid arthritis, which leads to joint problems because of autoimmune conditions. Primary care doctors refer patients to rheumatologists if there’s a chance they may have rheumatoid arthritis.

Interventional pain specialists are medical professionals with specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of the root cause of joint pain, hip or knee pain, and arthritic conditions. They administer x-rays, MRI scans, and blood tests to diagnose the root cause of joint pain, following which they curate a personalized treatment plan, usually consisting of minimally invasive procedures, such as corticosteroid injections.

Osteoarthritis is a medical condition that affects the cartilage between the bones, leading to joint pain, knee or hip pain, and painful symptoms in other parts of the body. Osteoarthritis makes the cartilage break down, leading to increased swelling, pain, inflammation, and the loss of mobility. This is a progressive condition that gradually worsens with time. Your personalized treatment plan will be designed according to the stage of osteoarthritis.

The following are the stages of osteoarthritis:

• Stage 0 (Pre-Osteoarthritis): You have normal, healthy joints without any symptoms. But joint damage may have started on a cellular level, which can lead to osteoarthritis.
• Stage 1 (Early/ Doubtful): You might lose some of the cartilage tissues between your joints and develop some bone spurs, but the space between the fonts doesn’t reduce.
• Stage 2 (Mild/ Minimal): The cartilage between your joints may start breaking down considerably, which reduces the space between your joints and causes bone spurs.
• Stage 3 (Moderate): The cartilage between your joints shows clear signs of wear, and the space between your joints becomes narrow, leading to joint pain and the loss of mobility.
• Stage 4 (Severe): The cartilage is severely damaged or completely lost, the bone spurs are large, and the joints don’t have enough synovial fluid for smooth movements.

You should consult a rheumatologist or interventional pain specialist if you have persistent symptoms of joint pain or knee and hip pain, especially if the symptoms worsen with time. If you don’t seek treatment, the symptoms of osteoarthritis will continue worsening, and you’ll eventually develop severe osteoarthritis, which is nearly impossible to reverse. That’s why you should consult an interventional pain specialist or a rheumatologist as soon as you notice the early signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis.

The following are the symptoms of osteoarthritis:

• Persistent pain in the affected joints
• Joint stiffness
• Tenderness in your joints
• Loss of mobility
• Loss of flexibility
• Grating sensations when you move
• Popping or clicking sounds
• Hard lumps around the joints (bone spurs)
• Inflammation and swelling

Different people have different osteoarthritis flare triggers. But some of the most common triggers for osteoarthritis flare-ups include repetitive movements, infections, weight gains, stress, bone spurs, changes in barometric pressure, and cold weather.

You can slow down the progression of osteoarthritis by following these tips:

• Lose weight to reduce pressure on weight-bearing joints, such as the knees and hips
• Control your blood sugar levels
• Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderately intense exercises five times a week
• Protect your joints from injuries while working and engaging in other activities