How is it diagnosed? Ankylosing spondylitis is diagnosed starting with a thorough history, asking about symptoms and risk factors discussed in previous sections. A detailed exam is necessary to find any kind of inflammatory back signs, peripheral arthritis, or extra-articular manifestations. Certain maneuvers and measurements should be performed in the […]
Read MoreLike many of you, I had a lot of questions and hesitations before the vaccine was officially available, so I did A LOT of research in the past several weeks to find the answers. I am writing this newsletter to share my findings with you. Before I start, let me […]
Read MoreWhat are the symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis? AS is characterized mainly by inflammatory back pain (described below). Inflammation can occur in several areas, leading to pain and stiffness. These include: Sacroiliac and spinal joints Hip and shoulder joints “Peripheral” arthritis: smaller joint such as the hands, wrists, elbows, knees, and feet […]
Read MoreAnkylosing Spondylitis is the most common condition from this group. Also known as AS, this form of arthritis primarily affects the spine, and can cause chronic pain, discomfort, stiffness, and eventually fusing of the bones, leading to decreased mobility. Who gets it? There are several risk factors to be aware […]
Read MoreWhat is it? Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) is a relatively common inflammatory condition that causes aching pain and stiffness in the shoulders, hips, neck, and back. The term “polymyalgia” means many muscle pains. Who gets it? There are certain risk factors that make PMR more likely Age:– This condition is almost […]
Read MoreWhat causes thumb pain? The most common causes of thumb pain are arthritis and tendonitis. De Quervain’s tendonitis is caused by the inflammation of the two tendons that extend the thumb (move the thumb up, as in hitchhiking). Arthritis of the base of the thumb joint is one of the […]
Read MoreOsteoarthritis Treatment- One problem, many solutions There is no cure for osteoarthritis. Symptoms of arthritis can gradually worsen over time as we age. However, there are multiple treatment options that can reduce pain, increase mobility, and possibly slow the progression of the disease. There is no one osteoarthritis treatment regimen […]
Read MoreHow is osteoarthritis diagnosed? Osteoarthritis is diagnosed with a combination of medical history, physical exam, xrays, labs, and possibly other tests. Medical history There are several “clues” a physician looks for in differentiating osteoarthritis from other types of arthritis. For example, in osteoarthritis, the pain usually comes on over time, […]
Read MoreWhat is osteoarthritis? Of the 100-or-so types of arthritis that can affect us, osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type. OA is caused by “wear and tear” on the joints over time. Much like the tires on a car, the cartilage between joints, which provides cushioning to the joint, wears […]
Read MoreSafety of biologic drugs Biologic drugs have recently revolutionized the treatment of many rheumatologic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and psoriatic arthritis, to name a few. These powerful agents function by targeting a specific component of the immune system thought to be crucial in causing inflammation. Specifically, TNF inhibitors […]
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