What Do Orthopedic Doctors Do
Due to their specialized training on the musculoskeletal system, they can treat any diseases or disorders that affect the joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones. Orthopedic surgeons are trained to evaluate the entire musculoskeletal system. Some orthopedic doctors may sometimes sub-specialize in one or two particular areas.
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Early Intervention Is Essential For Strong Recovery
Hopefully, you now have a good idea of the primary differences between orthopedics and rheumatology, and also when you should be seeking the treatment of an orthopedic surgeon or a rheumatologist.
But the last thing to press home is that early intervention is absolutely critical to achieving the best possible outcomes, no matter what the underlying cause of your pain is. Because of the interconnectedness of the human body, damage suffered in one area can often lead to damage in others.
Also, even minor conditions can worsen, causing unnecessary wear and tear on the affected bones and muscles. So, by diagnosing the problem early and getting it treated, you can save yourself the trouble of needing more intensive treatment later on.
So, if you are experiencing pain and want to get treatment from an orthopedic surgeon in Hawaii, why not get in touch with us to set up a consultation today?
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What Increases Your Risk For Arthritis
Sometimes arthritis can occur with no known cause. But there are also factors that can increase your risk for all types of arthritis.
Age: Advanced age increases a persons risk for arthritis types such as gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis.
Family history: You are more likely to have arthritis if your parent or sibling has an arthritis type.
Gender: Women are more likely to have RA than men while men are more likely to have gout.
Obesity: Excess weight can increase a persons risk for OA because it puts more pressure on the joints.
History of previous injuries: Those who have injured a joint from playing sports, from a car accident, or other occurrences are more likely to experience arthritis later.
Even if you dont feel the symptoms, you should discuss your potential risks for arthritis with your doctor. They can help provide ways to prevent or delay arthritis.
Just as the location of arthritis varies, not all people will have the same type of arthritis.
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The Role Of Arthritis Testing
Arthritis testing may be used for diagnosis, guiding treatment, or monitoring of arthritis:
- Diagnosis: Arthritis testing is often used to diagnose the cause of a persons symptoms and rule out other health conditions.
- Treatment planning: In some patients, arthritis testing is used to plan for treatment or determine a patients risk of severe side effects while receiving arthritis treatment.
- Monitoring: While patients are being treated for arthritis, testing may be used to monitor the effectiveness of medications and track the progression of the disease.
Rheumatoid Factor And Anti
One blood test measures levels of rheumatoid factors in the blood. Rheumatoid factors are proteins that the immune system produces when it attacks health tissue.
About half of all people with rheumatoid arthritis have high levels of rheumatoid factors in their blood when the disease starts, but about 1 in 20 people without rheumatoid arthritis also test positive.
A related blood test known as anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide test is also available. Anti-CCPs are antibodies also produced by the immune system.
People who test positive for anti-CCP are very likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis, but not everybody with rheumatoid arthritis has this antibody.
Those who test positive for both rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP may be more likely to have severe rheumatoid arthritis requiring higher levels of treatment.
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What Imaging Techniques May Be Used To Diagnose Arthritis
Imaging techniques may give your healthcare provider a clearer picture of what is happening to your joint. Imaging techniques may include the following:
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X-ray. X-rays may show joint changes and bone damage found in some types of arthritis. Other imaging tests may also be done.
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Ultrasound. Ultrasound uses sound waves to see the quality of synovial tissue, tendons, ligaments, and bones.
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Magnetic resonance imaging . MRI images are more detailed than X-rays. They may show damage to joints, including muscles, ligaments, and cartilage.
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Arthroscopy. This procedure uses a thin tube containing a light and camera to look inside the joint. The arthroscope is inserted into the joint through a small incision. Images of the inside of the joint are projected onto a screen. It is used to evaluate any degenerative and/or arthritic changes in the joint to detect bone diseases and tumors to determine the cause of bone pain and inflammation, and to treat certain conditions.
For Four Years Doctors Told Me It Was All In My Head
Yon H., 20, was just 15 when she first started feeling joint pain. Even though the pain persisted on and off throughout high school, she wasnt formally diagnosed until four years later. I was sick of walking up stairs like a 90-year-old woman my friends were always teasing me so I went to the clinic, the college student says. The doctor prescribed prednisone, a steroid. She gained 20 pounds in a month but her pain was completely gone and she felt better than she had in years.
That was my turning point, she says. The doctor said that since Id responded so well to steroids there was a good chance I had an autoimmune disorder. He advised her to follow up with a rheumatologist. She did and several weeks later she finally had her answer: rheumatoid arthritis.
People assumed I was going to be freaking out, but I was just so relieved to finally have answers, she says. For four freaking years doctors had been telling me that it was all in my head or was a sports injury, even though I didnt play sports. Now I have an explanation for my daily pain and just knowing why helps a lot. Her first step was to ask her doctor about treatment and shes just started biologic medications, a treatment plan shes very excited about.
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Psoriatic Arthritis Blood Test: Rheumatoid Factor
Rheumatoid factor , a protein produced by the immune system that attacks healthy tissue, is an indication of systemic inflammation.
Although RF is mostly associated with rheumatoid arthritis, it can also occur in a small percentage of people with psoriatic arthritis, says Rubenstein. To distinguish the two conditions, doctors will look at RF levels in the context of other factors, such as a certain pattern of joint involvement and symptoms of psoriasis, which can accompany psoriatic arthritis.
Frequency of Testing This is usually done only at the initial diagnostic appointment, says Rubenstein.
Psoriatic Arthritis Blood Test: Hla
HLA-B27 is a blood test that looks for a genetic marker for psoriatic arthritis a protein called human leukocyte antigen B27 , which is located on the surface of white blood cells. About 20 percent of people with psoriatic arthritis are positive for HBL-B27, according to CreakyJoints.
HLA-B27 is associated with a larger group of autoimmune diseases, called spondyloarthropathies, which includes psoriatic arthritis, Cadet says. These conditions can cause inflammation in the enthesis anywhere in the body but mainly in the spine.
If untreated over a long period, this inflammation may cause the destruction of cartilage, muscle spasms, and a decrease in bone mineral density that may lead to osteopenia or osteoporosis.
Frequency of Testing The HLA-B27 test is usually performed only at an initial visit to help establish a diagnosis, says Cadet.
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Hand Surgeon In San Antonio Texas
At the Center for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, our hand surgery team diagnoses and treats a broad range of hand injuries and conditions, including arthritis.
Our extensive education and training enable us to treat the most complex hand issues. For any type of hand or wrist pain and injury, call the Center for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine at 692-7400 or request an appointment now. We are happy to provide you the highest quality care for your hand condition.
What Are The Warning Signs Of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Multiple tests can be administered to detect the warning signs of RA. The proper diagnosis of RA can include the following:
- Symmetrical inflammatory arthritis , especially in the small joints of the hands, associated with morning stiffness in the joints lasting over one half hour.
- Lab test results
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Laboratory Tests For Diagnosing Psoriatic Arthritis
Your rheumatologist will likely order a series of laboratory tests, the results of which will help check for other conditions or point to psoriatic arthritis. These studies will examine factors such as the following:
- Complete blood count
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein , which are inflammatory markers that might be elevated in PsA but should not be elevated in wear-and tear osteoarthritis or arthritis
- Rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrillunated peptide , which are antibodies often present in cases of rheumatoid arthritis, but not commonly found in cases of PsA
- Blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid, and urinalysis
Fort Worth Hand Center Helps Patients Find Relief
Do you suffer from hand pain, finger pain or wrist pain? Concerned about whether you could have rheumatoid arthritis? Request an appointment from the best orthopedic surgeons in Fort Worth, Texas. Fort Worth Hand Center is Fort Worths first and most experienced multiple hand surgeon practice. We have been serving the North Texas area for over 45 years. To learn more or to schedule, call 817-877-3277, or complete the form below.
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Do I Need To Go To A Rheumatologist Or An Orthopedist
With so much overlap between medical disciplines and specializations, it is often difficult for an individual to discern which type of doctor to see for their problem.
This is especially true for orthopedics and rheumatology, as both of these types of physicians treat joint pain.
Orthopedists are surgeons who address bone and joint diseases and injuries, such as arthritis, osteoarthritis, and body trauma. Rheumatologists are internal medicine physicians who focus on autoimmune conditions and the non-surgical treatment of such diseases, such as arthritis, where medications and/or physical therapy can provide the proper treatment.
It is important to understand the areas these two specialties cover in order to make an informed decision.
Benefits Of Collaboration Between Orthopedic Surgeons And Rheumatologists To Optimize Disease Management
For patients suffering from autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout, a combined approach that focuses on both pharmacological and surgical procedures is often required for the optimum management of diseases.
Alfonso E. Bello, MD, MHS, FACP, FACR, DABPM, director of rheumatology research here at Illinois Bone & Joint Institute, has found that having rheumatologists and orthopedists in the same practice works well, because if the patient ends up visiting an orthopedic surgeon first when they could have benefited from seeing a rheumatologist, it is easy to transfer care to the right specialist.
Many times, patients are seen by orthopedic surgeons as their first musculoskeletal specialist when, in fact, they may be better served by a rheumatologist, he says. My orthopedic partners are well equipped to identify patients with rheumatologic disorders and facilitate transfer of care to methereby accelerating proper care.
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Measures To Reduce Bone Loss
Inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis can cause bone loss, which can lead to osteoporosis. The use of prednisone further increases the risk of bone loss, especially in postmenopausal women.
You can do the following to help minimize the bone loss associated with steroid therapy:
- Use the lowest possible dose of glucocorticoids for the shortest possible time, when possible, to minimize bone loss.
- Get an adequate amount of calcium and vitamin D, either in the diet or by taking supplements.
- Use medications that can reduce bone loss, including that which is caused by glucocorticoids.
- Control rheumatoid arthritis itself with appropriate medications prescribed by your doctor.
Psoriatic Arthritis Blood Test: Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, or ESR or sed rate, is a blood test that measures inflammation in the body, which helps determine a psoriatic arthritis diagnosis, explains Elaine Husni, MD, MPH, vice chair of rheumatology and director of the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Center at the Cleveland Clinic.
The test measures how many milliliters of red blood cells settle per hour in a vial of blood. When swelling and inflammation are present, the bloods proteins clump together and become heavier as a result, they will fall and settle faster at the bottom of the test tube, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
As with many blood tests, labs each have their own, slightly different reading of what ESR numbers mean, which they interpret based on past results, explains Cadet. Age is also a factor. ESR can be elevated slightly in elderly patients and still be normal for that person, she says.
Frequency of Testing In addition to diagnosis, Testing may be done several times a year to determine if theres ongoing inflammation, says Cadet.
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What Are Orthopedic Doctors
Orthopedic doctors specialize in diagnosing and treating problems involving your joints, muscles, ligaments, and other connective tissues. Injury and degeneration caused by repetitive motion in your shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles are the common causes of such conditions.
Treatments include non-surgical and surgical interventions. Not all orthopedic doctors, however, are trained to perform surgery, but they may specialize in certain body parts or sports medicine. Orthopedic surgeons, on the other hand, can treat you using noninvasive and invasive methods.
The 2010 Acr/eular Classification Criteria Guidelines
Sometimes people who have been diagnosed with RA take part in studies or clinical trials perhaps to try a promising drug or study ways to improve quality of life.
To identify RA patients with typical features of RA who are suitable for these important studies, scientists use a set of guidelines created by the American College of Rheumatology and the European League Against Rheumatism. These are called the 2010 ACR/EULAR classification criteria.
For classification purposes to be considered for enrollment into studies, patients must first have at least one inflamed joint that cant be explained by another condition. Then theyre evaluated for classification based on the following:
- Joint involvement. Which joints are swollen? How many are affected? Are they large or small?
- Serology test results. What are the results of RF and/or ACPA tests?
- Acute-phase reactant test results. Are the results of CRP and/or ESR tests normal or abnormal?
- Duration of symptoms. Have symptoms been around more or less than six weeks?
Others who may be eligible for studies include long-time RA patients whose past symptoms fulfill the criteria, those with joint damage very characteristic of RA, and those with new RA who are receiving treatment.
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What Are The Risk Factors For Arthritis
Some factors make you more likely to develop arthritis, including:
- Age: The risk of arthritis increases as you get older.
- Lifestyle: Smoking or a lack of exercise can increase your risk of arthritis.
- Sex: Most types of arthritis are more common in women.
- Weight: Obesity puts extra strain on your joints, which can lead to arthritis.
Which Specialist Do I Need
While both rheumatologists and Southwest orthopedic specialists can treat joint-pain symptoms, it may be in the patients best interest to take a closer look at both options before deciding which specialist can best serve their needs. In cases where there is a family history of rheumatoid arthritis, for example, it would be perfectly logical and reasonable for a patient to seek out a consultation with a rheumatologist.
If, however, there is a family history of knee replacements and the patient is suffering from intractable knee pain, a better choice would be an Southwest orthopedic specialists. But how do you know which one makes the best sense for you?
Choosing a specialist does not mean you have made a permanent, unchangeable choice. If a patient seeking treatment from a rheumatologist does not improve with therapy, or as a patients condition progresses over time, there may be a need for some overlap in care from a rheumatologist to an orthopedic surgeon. In the beginning, however, the choice of which specialist to see will be primarily determined by the patients current and/or ongoing symptoms.
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Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy
The platelets in your blood are responsible for clotting when you get cut or are injured, but they also contain properties to help in the healing process. With platelet-rich plasma therapy, your doctor will draw your blood, then use a centrifuge to isolate the healing factors. Your doctor will then inject this extract from your own body back into the area where healing is needed. In the case of arthritis, it could be any joint, particularly in the hips and knees PRP can also be used to treat tendonitis, ligament injuries, and joint sprains.