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Why choose Geisinger for arthritis care?

Ready to do something about joint aches, pain, swelling and stiffness? Whether it’s osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or something else, you’ll find treatment that can reduce your pain, increase your mobility and improve functioning.

From diagnosis through treatment and beyond, our orthopedic or rheumatology team (or both) will work with you to reach your treatment goals. We’ll develop a plan tailored to your type of arthritis and the severity of your symptoms.

Treatments range from medications and injections to surgery, physical therapy and rehabilitation — all with the goal of reducing your symptoms and returning to doing the activities you love.

If you and your doctor decide joint replacement surgery is the right option for you, you’ll have access to the region’s most innovative procedures, including Mako® robotic-assisted and Medacta NextAR® augmented reality joint replacement surgeries.

By combining nationally recognized expertise with a personalized touch, we help you get back to your daily routine safely and with lasting results.

Treatments and services we offer

Related specialties

FAQs

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is an umbrella term for joint pain. There are more than 100 types of arthritis with a variety of causes and treatments. The most common is osteoarthritis, aka "wear-and-tear" arthritis. Other common types include rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and gout.

How do you diagnose osteoarthritis?

Your doctor will most likely take an X-ray of your painful joint or joints to diagnose osteoarthritis.

What kind of doctor treats arthritis?

Orthopedic specialists and rheumatologists both treat arthritis. Orthopedic doctors treat osteoarthritis, while rheumatologists treat autoimmune and inflammatory types of arthritis like RA and PsA.

What causes osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis can occur as your joints age or after you injure them in an accident. When you have osteoarthritis, you lose the soft tissue between your joints called cartilage. Cartilage acts as a sort of shock absorber between bones that make up your joints. So when it breaks down, your bones start to rub together, which is painful and can cause bone spurs.

What is rheumatoid arthritis?

RA is an autoimmune and inflammatory form of arthritis. Autoimmune diseases cause your immune system to attack and damage healthy cells. In RA, the damaged cells make up a layer of connective tissue lining your joints called the synovial lining. The immune response causes painful inflammation in your joints. 

Arthritis care at Geisinger

Our orthopedic team offers the latest, most minimally invasive procedures to help you heal faster. Here, you’ll find

  • Comprehensive orthopedic expertise: From treating common wear-and-tear injuries to complex fractures, our team provides the care you need — from sports medicine and specialized physical therapy to advanced surgery.
  • World-class care, close to home: With 24 locations throughout central and northeastern Pennsylvania, our experienced orthopedic team provides evaluations, consultations and care. We offer leading-edge treatment options and tailored-to-you care backed by the expertise and innovation of a nationally renowned health system.