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Arthritis

ARTHRITIS

Siamak Rouzroch, MD

Fariba Bardi, DC

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“Live Pain Free” Program at Optimum Health Medical Center

What is Arthritis (Rheumatic Diseases)?

Dr. Siamak Rouzroch explains that arthritis is a painful inflammation of one or more of your joints. More than 1.43 million Americans suffer from arthritis of which, 50% are older than 65 years of age.  The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Patients diagnosed with arthritis typically exhibit the following symptoms:

  • Joint redness and/or heat
  • Joint  swelling, stiffness, and pain
  • Loss of function of one or more connecting or supporting structures of the body

Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is caused by the wear and tear on your joint’s cartilage as you age.   It’s main symptoms are joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age.  Some patients have enough cartilage damage that they experience painful bone grinding on bone.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a more complex condition caused by an autoimmune disorder. This type of arthritis causes joints to become quite swollen and inflamed.

How is Arthritis Diagnosed?

Arthritis is a serious chronic condition which requires an accurate diagnosis by an Internal Medicine physician.  Dr. Siamak Rouzroch’s thorough diagnostic process begins with the physical examination of your joints to assess your degree of joint redness, swelling and pain.  The degree of movement is a key indicator.

With respect to laboratory tests, Dr. Rouzroch may order a sample of your joint fluids and recommend imaging studies to help determine the nature and extent of your disease.  Specific imaging options are:

  • X-rays  to visualize cartilage loss, bone damage
  • CT scan combined with x-rays to show cross-sectional views of the bone and soft tissues
  • MRI to provide more detailed images of tendons and ligaments
  • Ultrasound to image soft tissues and fluid containing structures

Dr. Rouzroch will discuss additional testing with you.

How is Arthritis Treated?

After an accurate diagnosis, Dr. Rouzroch works with Dr. Fariba Bardi to recommend a customized treatment plan for the patient.  Dr. Rouzroch will discuss medication management with you covering the best prescription and over-the-counter drugs for reducing inflammation and pain relief.  Commonly used medications include analgesics.  Over-the-counter analgesics, known as acetaminophen (Tylenol), have no effect on inflammation but help with pain.  Prescription medications that contain narcotics (oxycodone) for more serious joint pain may be prescribed but Dr. Rouzorch advises that these drugs don’t help with inflammation and need to be carefully managed.  Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) work to reduce both inflammation and pain.

Medication is only ONE of the recommended therapies. The “Live Pain Free” Program at Optimum Health Medical Center  is unique as there is a customized therapeutic treatment plan recommended that includes medical management, chiropractic therapies and lifestyle changes including diet.  If needed a weight loss program will be recommended as excess weight places more stress on the joints. Physiotherapy, massage therapy, supplements and specific foods to avoid are also recommended by Dr.’s Rouzroch and Bardi.

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At Docs4Wellness.com our goal is to help our patients help themselves to live a healthy life.
Schedule your consultations with Dr. Siamak Rouzroch and Dr. Fariba Bardi.
Call:  562:494.8008 or email us for more information.