Our Specialties Include

Non-Surgical Procedures

• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections

Joint Reconstruction

• Total Hip Joint Replacement
• Total Knee Joint Replacement
• Shoulder Joint Replacement
• Hip Resurfacing
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Arthritis Surgery
• Arthroscopic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Triathlon Custom Fit Knee® with ShapeMatch® Technology

Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery

• Carpal Tunnel
• Microsurgical Reconstruction
• Hand Trauma and Replantation of Severed Digits
• Surgical Treatment of Fractures of the Wrist

Spine and Scoliosis Surgery

• Disc Herniations
• Vertebral Fractures
• Scoliosis
• Osteoarthritis
• Degenerative Spine Diseases of the Neck and Back

Foot and Ankle Surgery

• Plantar Fasciitis, Heel Spurs
• Bunions and Forefoot Deformity
• Arthritis of the Foot and Ankle
• Disorders of the Achilles Tendon and Ruptures
• Ankle Pain, Swelling, Locking, or Instability
• Pain, Swelling, and Disability of the Midfoot (Arch) or Heel
• Pain in the Ball of the Foot (Forefoot), Hammertoes, Morton's Neuroma
• Diabetic Foot and Ankle Conditions – Neuropathy, Ulcers, Charcot Foot
• Nerve Disorders of the Foot and Ankle – Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, Morton's Neuroma, Compressive Neuropathies

Traumatic Disorders

• Fractures, Dislocations, Sprains, Strains

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Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis | New York

Arthritis, with all of its variants, has become the leading cause of disability in the United States and can be crippling in its most severe forms.  Together, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are two of the most common forms of the musculoskeletal disorder and affect millions of people each year. 

Arthritis can be generally defined as inflammation of a joint. Any joint can become inflamed for a number of reasons, ranging from past traumatic injuries to the wear on the joint over time. While most people who suffer from these conditions are older adults, this chronic disease can also affect younger patients.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis differs from other types of arthritis in that it is a disorder of the autoimmune system.  The autoimmune system serves as the body’s first line of defense, attacking any foreign bodies that may pose a threat.  However, in the case of RA, the body essentially attacks itself.  The autoimmune system attacks the synovial membranes, which line every joint of the body.  Attack on this membrane causes inflammation in the joint, leading to orthopedic or musculoskeletal problems.

Symptoms of RA

Based on variables such as activity level or weight, symptoms can vary over time with painful inflammation “flare ups” from time to time. During what some rheumatoid arthritis patients refer to as periods of “remission,” symptoms can virtually disappear. An exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis has not yet been discovered, and women are twice as likely to develop symptoms as men.

The symptoms of RA can be divided into three distinct stages. During stage one, patients experience pain, redness, and swelling of the affected joint. Stage two brings a thickening of the lining within the joint. During stage three, permanent damage can occur, as the bone and cartilage of the joint are attacked by the body’s defenses. General symptoms can also include weakness, loss of appetite, fever, depression, and flu-like symptoms.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Osteoarthritis is often referred to as “wear and tear” arthritis, or degenerative joint disease, and affects the cartilage within and surrounding joints.  Cartilage plays a key role in joint function, providing cushioning between bones and acting as a shock absorber.  Layers of cartilage also coat key components of ball and socket joints such as the hip and shoulder.  This gel-like coating of cartilage allows for the smooth movement of the joint, functionality that is lost when cartilage is degraded by the disease.

Symptoms of OA

Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body, but is most commonly found in the hips, knees, spine, and hands. Common symptoms include restricted movement throughout the joint, pain, and swelling. A traumatic injury stemming from a broken bone, fall, sports injury, or automobile accident can cause osteoarthritis symptoms to appear. Overuse of a joint, a common condition among athletes, can also lead to a degradation of the cartilage, causing problems for the patient for years after the initial injury occurs.

The natural aging process can also play a major factor in the development of osteoarthritis. Additionally, decades working in manual labor or other repetitive motion jobs can also contribute to the development. The onset of diabetes and cases of gout can also cause symptoms of OA. Physical therapy can lessen the effects of OA over time, while a regimen of anti-inflammatory drugs can minimize pain.

Orthopedic Treatment in Westchester County, New York

Dr. Steven Zelicof, board certified orthopedic surgeon, has been treating cases of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis in the New York area since 1990. Dr. Zelicof earned a PhD in Immunopathology from University of Pennsylvania Pathology and has completed a Joint Reconstruction and Arthritis Surgery Fellowship at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital at Harvard Medical School. He is also a member of the New York chapter of the Arthritis Foundation and specializes in the conservative treatment of several orthopedic conditions.

Find out more about Dr. Zelicof and how to make an appointment at Specialty Orthopedic’s Harrison, New York offices.

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