- Osteoporosis
- ArthritisAs of December 2022, the Arthritis Center is located at the newly renovated offices at 171 Grandview Avenue, Suite 101, Waterbury, Connecticut 06708 where both clinical and X-ray services will be rendered.
- FibromyalgiaFibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic, painful condition with several known precipitating events, but no specifically known pathophysiological cause. Cause is different from precipitating event. Cause means a specific pathophysiological basis, while precipitating event simply means something that can trigger a response. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has created a set of criteria for the diagnosis of FMS, which include the presence of at least nine of eighteen symmetrical tender points (TPs) that must be present for at least three months, and a sleep disorder. The presence of another painful disease does not rule out the diagnosis of FMS. A newer set of criteria(2010) does not necessarily require the presence of these TPs, but many physicians still recognize the utility of the identification of these painful locations..
- RheumatologyThe staff of the Arthritis Center's Division of Rheumatology, Osteoporosis, and Pain Management has years of extensive experience in all types of treatment of all types of arthritis. Our capabilities include medication, exercise, physical therapy, injections, and all of the latest modalities, including the experimental when necessary.
- Sleep DisordersTreatment consists of normalizing the sleep disorder by using medications capable of restoring deficiencies of deep, dreamless, sleep. Anti-inflammatory agents, analgesics, topical agents, and physical therapy modalities may also be employed. Periodic injections into persistent TPs with various mixtures of anesthetics and steroids should be a centerpiece of therapy for most patients.
- ElectrocardiogramIt is imperative that the surgeon and patient have a realistic understanding of the expected outcomes before deciding that hip replacement surgery is indicated. The patient is first cleared for surgery by taking a battery of blood tests, x-rays, an electrocardiogram, and a physical examination. If there is a specific medical problem then a specialist is asked to render an opinion concerning whether surgery is reasonable. The patient’s blood is banked for use at the time of surgery if necessary, thereby protecting the patient from the possibility of blood-borne infection. Drugs that can cause bleeding are stopped, including anti-inflammatory agents, aspirin products, or anti-coagulating agents such as Coumadin, Plavix, Fragmin, or Lovenox.
- Pneumonia
- Pregnancy
- Carpal Tunnel SyndromeThe median nerve, which runs through an area in the wrist (carpus in Latin) known as the carpal tunnel, provides power and sensation to the first three fingers and half of the fourth. The illustrations below display in blue the areas affected by CTS.
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Diabetes Care
- HypothyroidismA compressed median nerve can often lead to CTS, a condition that causes weakness, numbness, tingling, and pain in the fingers, wrists, forearms, and elbows (the little finger is never involved). Some causes of carpal tunnel syndrome besides repetitive trauma include various sorts of acute trauma, diabetes, hypothyroidism, pregnancy, or rheumatoid arthritis.
- RadiologyThe radiology suite is newly renovated featuring a new digital X-ray machine that is capable of producing the highest resolution musculo-skeletal images available.
- X-Rays
- OrthopedicsThe fields of rheumatology, osteoporosis, pain management, and orthopedics are constantly evolving. New treatments, surgical procedures, and methods of management of ongoing problems are always emerging. Needless to say, keeping up with the latest developments is a never-ending job. The Arthritis Center is always at the forefront of knowledge in these areas, and its staff aggressively pursues continuing medical education in order to provide the best possible options for their patients. On the selection bar to the left you will find topics of general and particular interest. Click to review some of the latest information.
- ArthroscopyThe arthroscopy patient generally uses crutches for two to three days after surgery and returns to non-impact work in short order. Small, self-contained, articular (joint surface) cartilage defects can be repaired by this technique. When there is more extensive damage to the joint surface, total joint replacement surgery or uni-compartmental surgery may be more appropriate.
- Minimally Invasive SurgeryArthritis of the knee should first be treated conservatively with anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, injections of steroids, injections of hyaluronic acid (Synvisc™, Hyalgan™, Supartz™), or arthroscopic surgery. Traditional surgery, known as total knee replacement (TKR) replaces all three compartments of the knee. The latest techniques allow selective replacement of each specific compartment. This is called uni-compartmental replacement. Another technique is MIS (minimally invasive surgery) a technique for decreasing post-operative pain and speeding recovery time.
- Joint ReplacementOur specialties include: general orthopaedics, total joint replacement, sports medicine, hand surgery, independent medical examinations (IMEs), and second opinions.
- Arthritis SurgeryDr Matza performs many procedures involving the hand including De Quervains Syndrome injections and releases of the first dorsal compartment, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome including injections and releases, Dupuytrens Contractures, Trigger finger injections and releases, tendon injuries, lacerations and Arthritis Surgery including injections, fusions and replacements.
- Hand SurgeryThe Arthritis Center was established in 1986 by Dr. Richard A. Matza, surgical director and Dr Brian Peck, medical director. Dr. Peck has since retired from the practice of Rheumatologic Medicine in 2022. I owe a great deal of gratitude to him for his contribution to the Arthritis Center and to furthering my knowledge of Arthritis. I have since taken over the Arthritis Center as its Medical/Surgical director. I personally have over four decades of experience as a Reconstructive Surgeon having performed over 15000 orthopaedic procedures with an emphasis in joint replacement and hand surgery. My areas of expertise are in the conservative and surgical treatment of all forms of arthritis. I employ all of the latest minimally invasive techniques utilizing the state of the art prostheses. I trained to do orthopaedic surgery in Washington, DC at Georgetown University, Boston, Massachusetts at Tufts New England Medical Center, the New England Baptist Hospital and eight others in Boston, and New York City at Roosevelt hospital with some of the finest doctors in the country. I have been Board Certified in Orthopaedic Surgery since 1979. My areas of expertise are in hand and upper extremity surgery including hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder and in lower extremity surgery including hip,knee, ankle, and foot reconstruction. I offer in office, telemedicine inpatient and out patient surgical procedures, as well as, clinical and diagnostic services.
- ArthroscopyKnee arthroscopy is a very common and minimally invasive outpatient procedure. It can be used for the injured non-arthritic knee or for the conservative treatment of the arthritic knee.
- Hip ReplacementThe mainstay of treatment for hip arthritis is conservative, and includes the use of anti-inflammatory agents and physical therapy. When these modalities are no longer effective, total hip replacement (THR) should be considered.
- Knee ReplacementTKR is very successful in patients with severely arthritic knees who have not responded well to conservative (non-operative) or arthroscopic surgical treatment. The patient enters the hospital on the morning of surgery after a thorough examination has confirmed fitness for surgery. The operative side is verified and the anesthesiologist performs another evaluation. The damaged areas are removed and the prosthetic knee parts, made of titanium and plastic, are carefully fit for size and positioned according to the patient’s anatomy. Holes are drilled and the parts are cemented into place or press-fit, which is a newer technique.
- Knee Arthroscopy
- Reconstructive SurgeryThe Reconstructive Surgery Division of the Arthritis Center of Connecticut is committed to the treatment of injuries, arthritis, malfunction, and other conditions of the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and peripheral nerves. When conservative measures are not satisfactory, then the latest surgical techniques are available.
- Sports MedicineFinding a specific cause of back pain is only possible in a minority of cases because imaging techniques (x-rays, scans, etc.) can only show anatomy, not function or causation. Causes include sports injuries, work related injuries, failed surgery, the aging process, or certain inflammatory types of arthritis. In the rare cases for which an underlying cause can be found, a firm prognosis can be given and treatment can be initiated.
- Physical TherapyBecause there are many causes of back pain, and because few of them are curative, there are many forms of treatment. Treatments include anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants, physical therapy, bracing, and in extreme cases, surgery. In selected cases long term use of analgesics (painkillers), sometimes including opioids, may be indicated. This sort of treatment should only be undertaken with the guidance of a qualified professional.
- Back Pain
- Ankle SprainPain is meant to be a natural protective signal to the brain. Pain tells us to move our hands off a hot stove or to stop walking on a sprained ankle. It is the absence of pain that lets us know that our ankle has healed and that we can resume our normal lifestyle. Sometimes the source of the pain is harder to diagnose and far more complicated to deal with than a sprained ankle.