What Kind of Doctor Treats Arthritis?

The Arthritis Foundation says arthritis is the leading cause of physical disability in the US. Around 60 million adults and 300,000 children have the disease. More than 100 related conditions can damage joints and other organs. More women than men receive arthritis diagnosis. What kind of doctor treats arthritis?  If you have joint pain or arthritis, you may wonder which doctors treat it and which ones are best for you such as rheumatologist etc.

Arthritis and Joint Specialists

Rheumatologists and orthopedists focus on managing arthritis and joint care. 

Rheumatologists

Rheumatologists treat arthritis and other joint, muscle, bone, and skin diseases. They treat osteoarthritis, rheumatoid, psoriatic, and other inflammatory arthritis.

Consulting a rheumatologist may indicate that you do not have osteoarthritis.

Rheumatologists will customize a treatment plan to reduce pain, improve joint function, and slow arthritis progression. They may recommend pharmacotherapy, injections, and physiotherapy.

Orthopedists

What kind of doctor treats arthritis? An orthopedist will likely be consulted when arthritis requires surgery. They treat musculoskeletal injuries and diseases like osteoarthritis. An orthopedist can inject corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid into arthritis that worsens despite treatment. If severe arthritis causes severe pain and limits daily life, an orthopaedist can perform surgery such as a joint replacement.

Specialists 

Sometimes the problem's location determines the specialist. Before beginning physical therapy and exercise, a spine center may receive your referral if you have spine osteoarthritis. Whatever doctor you see, your care team will help you manage arthritis pain and offer treatment options.

What Is the Best Arthritis Doctor?

There are several factors to consider before choosing an arthritis doctor. Pain management in Dallas knows your joint and bone pain condition and the body part where it occurs. Many orthopedic surgeons specialize in complex injuries like the back, hands, and shoulders. The most common types of hand arthritis are rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and psoriatic.

When bone and cartilage break down, wear and tear or degenerative osteoarthritis causes pain. Chronic rheumatoid arthritis causes pain, stiffness, and swelling. This autoimmune disease causes the body to attack its own healthy tissue. 

Psoriatic arthritis affects skin and joints. Finger swelling, joint pain, and morning stiffness can occur. It can look like rheumatoid arthritis but only affects a few fingers. A hand specialist is the best pain management doctor in Dallas to see for arthritis in your hands. Tendons, muscles, bones, blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue make up your hands. Hand specialists are well-versed in hand conditions, treatment, and joint preservation. This can prolong hand function.

When to See a Doctor

Look for these arthritis symptoms:

• Joint pain, swelling, or stiffness.

• Touchable red or warm joints.

• Tender or stiff joints.

• Trouble moving a joint or doing daily tasks.

Consult your physician if you experience any of the following:

• Three-day-plus joint symptoms.

• Multiple joint symptoms in one month.

How Should I Prepare for Rheumatologist Visits?

To prepare for your appointment, organize your records. Rheumatologists require prior medical records and diagnostic test results. May have copies or need to request them.

Personal medical history. Doctors want to know what medications, vitamins, and supplements you take. They may inquire about past conditions and prescriptions.

Symptom journaling. The symptoms of rheumatic diseases can change quickly. Written notes help keep track of details. Note-taking planned. First-time visitors may encounter lots of new information. This can be overwhelming. Bringing a friend to take notes can help.

Conclusion

Many lifelong and complex conditions are treated by rheumatologists. Some rheumatic diseases are hard to diagnose and cause permanent damage. What kind of doctor treats arthritis? Seeing a rheumatologist is crucial. They'll carefully diagnose your symptoms and create a personalized treatment plan. They'll track your condition through life.