Women are typically diagnosed with arthritis more often than men, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that more people are diagnosed with an arthritic condition in the Midwest and some East Coast states than in any other region of the country. The Arthritis Foundation claims that arthritis is the leading cause of physical disability in the United States, affecting nearly 60 million adults and 300,000 children. The arthritis doctor near me might suggest injections, physical therapy, and various medications.
Types of Arthritis Doctors
Specialists who treat arthritis and joint issues If you have joint pain or have been diagnosed with arthritis, you may be wondering which type of doctor is best for your condition. Let’s take a look at each of the two types of doctors who specialize in managing and caring for arthritis: rheumatologists and orthopaedists.
Rheumatologists
In addition to treating diseases and conditions that impact joints, muscles, bones, and skin, rheumatologists specialize in treating arthritis. In addition to osteoarthritis, they also treat psoriatic, rheumatoid, and other forms of inflammatory arthritis. If you are referred to a rheumatologist, it is possible that you have an arthritis type other than osteoarthritis. Rheumatologists will collaborate with you to develop a customized treatment plan that will reduce pain, enhance joint function, and slow the advancement of arthritis.
Orthopedics
Orthopaedists treat a variety of musculoskeletal injuries and diseases, including osteoarthritis. If arthritis worsens despite treatment, they can administer injections of corticosteroids, which are potent anti-inflammatory drugs, or hyaluronic acid, which lubricates joints. In cases of severe arthritis that significantly impairs daily living, they can perform surgery (such as a joint replacement).
“Specialized” Experts
Sometimes the location of the issue will determine which specialist you see. For example, before beginning a more conventional course of treatment like physical therapy and exercise, you might be referred to someone at a spine center if you have osteoarthritis of the spine. Your care team will help you manage your arthritis pain and provide treatment options to help you get closer to feeling better, regardless of the doctor you see.
Primary care physicians are the best place to start when it comes to arthritis care. In order to diagnose arthritis, they will likely perform a physical examination, test your joints’ range of motion, and possibly order an X-ray to check for joint damage. The first doctor you should see to discuss your achy joints should be someone you know well.
The most prevalent type of arthritis is osteoarthritis. It is the deterioration of your joints’ cartilage brought on by aging. Your pain management doctor in Plano will begin a treatment plan to alleviate your pain and symptoms if they believe you have osteoarthritis in its early stages. That might consist of:
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. Medicines that are prescribed to lower inflammation. Topical creams may be included in this.
- Cortisone injections to lessen swelling and ease pain.
- An appointment with a physical therapist. Most of the time, this course of treatment will be sufficient to keep you moving through life pain-free. But if signals remain the same or they get worse, your primary care doctor can suggest seeing a specialist.
What Does a Rheumatologist Do?
Rheumatology is the study of inflammatory autoimmune disorders, their effects on the human body, and their treatments. In an autoimmune disorder, the patient’s immune system malfunctions and attacks his own healthy body tissue instead of invasive or external disease agents.
In addition to treating mechanical joint, bone, muscle, and soft and connective tissue diseases, rheumatologists—often referred to as “arthritis doctors”—can be pediatricians or internists with specialized training and credentials.
Rheumatologists study and treat the following debilitating, occasionally fatal conditions: APS, DM, erythematosus, fibromyalgia, gout, SLE, myositis, polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), sarcoidosis, scleroderma, Sjogren’s syndrome, and vasculitis. You may be referred to a rheumatologist by your PCP if you suffer from:
- Joint pain without injury
- Joint or musculoskeletal pain coupled with fever, rash, stiffness, exhaustion, or chest pain (especially when awake).
- Back pain and joint pain
- Psoriasis-associated joint pain
- Muscular pain
- Muscle aches or headaches
- Leg pain or back pain
- Unaccounted-for weight loss, sweats, or a persistent fever
- Rheumatic disease is indicated by abnormal blood tests.
What Takes Place During the Initial Consultation with a Reumatologist?
Your rheumatologist will probably order a number of tests at the initial consultation, including X-rays and comprehensive blood tests, to help determine and rule out the possible causes of your symptoms.
Since elevated inflammatory markers are linked to the majority of systemic autoimmune conditions, blood tests can help diagnose the condition and provide a clear picture of what’s going on in the body.
What Does an Orthopedist Do?
The skeletal system and its associated joints, ligaments, and muscles are the focus of orthopedic disorders, injuries, prevention, treatment, and repair. Orthopedic surgeons and arthritis doctors near me must have specialized training in diagnosing and treating diseases of the bones and joints. To help with diagnosis and treatment, they employ a variety of testing techniques.
You may be referred to an orthopedist by your PCP if you suffer from:
- Musculoskeletal or joint pain brought on by an injury
- Increasing hip or knee pain that gets worse when you’re carrying weight
- severe joint pain that is incapacitating
- Knee or hip arthritis that is moderate to severe
- Other joint pain treatments’ failure
- A joint replacement is required.
Chronic Pain Doctors in Hillsboro treat ailments like arthritis, pinched nerve neuropathy, scoliosis, back pain, herniated discs, pinched nerve neuropathy, whiplash, and joints that require surgical repair.
Conclusion
In order to lessen the inflammation that a rheumatic condition is causing, the main objective of treatment is to alter the immune system’s activity.
Immunomodulatory medications and steroids are the mainstay for managing these conditions. Medication that suppresses your medications may be required for the treatment of severe or advanced conditions. Consult with the best arthritis doctor near me to get effective treatment.
