Arthritis Specialist
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Maryland Medical First P.A.
Board Certified Internal Medicine located in Parkville, MD
Ongoing stiff, achy joints could be a sign of arthritis. If you suspect you have arthritis and want joint pain relief, turn to Maryland Medical First P.A. in Parkville, Maryland. Board-certified internal medicine physician Narender Bharaj, MD, and the other expert-level providers diagnose and treat arthritis symptoms to give you a better quality of life. Call the office to schedule an appointment or book one online today.
Arthritis Q & A
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a chronic (ongoing) condition that affects your joints. It often causes joint pain, stiffness, and other symptoms that can feel crippling. Treatment with the experts at Maryland Medical First P.A. offers symptom relief and reduces the risk of disease progression.
Many types of arthritis exist, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and gout.
What are the symptoms of arthritis?
Arthritis symptoms range in severity from mild to severe and debilitating. They may include:
- Stiffness
- Joint pain
- Tenderness
- Redness
- Swelling
- Decreased range of motion
- Diminished mobility
See the Maryland Medical First P.A. team at the first sign of arthritis pain for symptom relief. Complications that can occur with untreated arthritis include worsening symptoms, joint disfigurement, and difficulty walking.
What are the risk factors for arthritis?
Arthritis is a common chronic disease, and anyone can develop it, but certain factors boost your risk. Examples include:
- Family history of arthritis
- Previous joint injuries
- Older age
- Obesity
Women are more likely to develop a type of arthritis called rheumatoid arthritis, while men have a higher risk of gout.
How does my doctor diagnose arthritis?
To find out if you have arthritis and which type you have, your Maryland Medical First P.A. specialist discusses your symptoms and medical history. They examine your joints and assess your range of motion and mobility. Your provider often recommends you complete blood tests and sometimes X-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs, CT scans, bone scans, or other imaging procedures.
What are common arthritis treatments?
If you have arthritis and pain associated with it, your Maryland Medical First P.A. specialist may recommend:
Lifestyle changes
Lifestyle changes that help reduce unpleasant symptoms include maintaining a healthy weight, getting regular exercise, eating nutritious foods, and trying heat or cold packs. Yoga, Pilates, and Tai Chi can offer symptom relief. Taking dietary supplements, particularly glucosamine and chondroitin may also help.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy sessions strengthen your joints, improve flexibility and range of motion, reduce ongoing pain, and prevent future injuries. Aquatic therapy is also useful to soothe joints and make exercising less stressful on joints. Your provider may recommend splints, walkers, or canes to relieve stress on your joints.
Medications
Taking medications can alleviate pain and prevent arthritis disease progression, giving you a better quality of life.
Injections
Maryland Medical First P.A. offers various injections, including viscosupplementation for the knees and cortisone injections, to help your joints heal and reduce inflammation and pain.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture uses very fine needles to interrupt or block pain pathways and relieve arthritis discomfort.
Surgery
Surgery can repair, fuse, or replace a joint damaged by arthritis to restore the joint and reduce ongoing pain.
If you struggle with arthritis pain and want relief, call the Maryland Medical First P.A. office or schedule an appointment online today.
