Conditions We Treat

Arthritis is inflammation of the joint, which results in pain, swelling, stiffness, and limitation of motion. Arthritis is currently the most common chronic illness and the leading cause of disability in the United States. A breakdown of cartilage is what causes the development of arthritis in the joint. As the prevalence of arthritis continues to increase, emphasis should be placed on recognition of the signs and symptoms of joint inflammation. The physicians at Arthritis and Rheumatology of Georgia are skilled in developing an individualized treatment plan to assist with arthritis issues. Treatment is directed toward reducing pain and swelling, improving function and inhibiting progressive joint damage.

Autoimmune Disease

Autoimmune diseases form when the body’s immune system is compromised. The body’s immune system is unable to decipher between healthy body tissue and damaging substances called antigens. An immune response results in the form of a hypersensitive reaction, which destroys normal body tissues. An autoimmune disease can result in the following ways: abnormal organ growth, change in organ functionality, and/or the destruction of one or more kinds of body tissue. For a disease to be deemed as an autoimmune disease, it needs to answer a variety of criteria. The physicians of Arthritis and Rheumatology of Georgia specialize in treating autoimmune diseases.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

AS is an inflammatory, autoimmune condition that typically begins in young adulthood, but often gets overlooked, or incorrectly diagnosed as pain from a previous injury or aging. It’s an underdiagnosed form of arthritis that creates inflammation in the spinal joints and causes chronic back pain and stiffness. AS is progressive. People may begin feeling pain in the lower back or buttocks region, and it can migrate to other areas of the body like the hips, neck, or shoulders.

Back and Neck Pain

These symptoms can stem from a variety of causes including muscular, nerve, degenerative or inflammatory problems. We can assess which and decide on a comprehensive treatment strategy.

Bursitis

Bursitis, inflammation of a fluid filled cushion in the body’s joints, can happen in many locations throughout the body. We can evaluate causation and develop a treatment strategy that might include injection of a steroid.

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome

We can assess for this common wrist-nerve condition.

Gout Arthritis

Gout is a condition characterized by the acute onset of intense pain, swelling and redness in a joint. Most often the joints of the great toe are involved but other joints may also become inflamed. Elevated blood uric acid causes the development of acute gout in the joint in which crystals form, causing the intense inflammatory response. The physicians of Arthritis and Rheumatology of Georgia are experts in the diagnosis of gout, the treatment of an acute attack and the development of a long term plan for the prevention of further attacks and joint damage.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Associated with Arthritis

Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis can be associated with inflammatory arthritis, which we treat.

Joint Aches

This symptom can be a herald of an inflammatory or degenerative type of arthritis, which are very different. We can determine which and develop an evidence-based approach to treatment.

Lupus

Lupus is a chronic (long-term) disease that can cause inflammation and pain in any part of your body. It’s an autoimmune disease, which means that your immune system — the body system that usually fights infections — attacks healthy tissue instead.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is also referred to as degenerative joint disease and is the most common form of arthritis. The breaking down of cartilage in the joint causes pain, swelling and reduced motion. It is often accompanied by enlargement of the bones around the joint. Osteoarthritis can occur in any joint, but commonly affects the hands, knees, hips, and the spine. It is related to aging, genetics, and wear and tear on joints. The physicians of Arthritis and Rheumatology of Georgia specialize in the treatment of osteoarthritis, including the use of medications, physical therapy, and appropriate localized injections which help relieve pain and stiffness.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a major public health threat for 44 million Americans, primarily women. Ten million individuals already have osteoporosis and 34 million more have low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for developing osteoporosis and resultant fractures. Known as “the silent thief,” osteoporosis progresses without symptoms or pain until fractures occur. The most common sites are the hip, spine and wrist. The physicians of Arthritis and Rheumatology of Georgia are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory disorder that causes muscle pain and stiffness, especially in the shoulders. Signs and symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica usually begin quickly and are worse in the morning. Most people who develop polymyalgia rheumatica are older than 65. It rarely affects people under 50.

Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)

Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritic inflammation that causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints, as well as sites of tendon and ligament connection to bone. Symptoms vary according to location and activity over time. Approximately 1 in 20 patients with psoriasis will develop arthritis with the skin condition. In most cases, psoriasis precedes the development of arthritis. The physicians of Arthritis and Rheumatology of Georgia. will create a treatment plan geared toward reducing pain and inflammation, improving movement and preventing joint damage.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease characterized by inflammation of the lining of joints and surrounding tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis is considered an autoimmune disease, which usually affects joints on both sides of the body equally. If untreated, it can lead to long-term joint damage with resultant chronic pain, loss of function, and disability. Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic illness in which the joint is the primary target. It may occur at any age, most commonly in women in middle age. The physicians of Arthritis and Rheumatology of Georgia will develop a treatment plan that may include medications, exercise, physical therapy, and possibly a surgical approach for those who have had long term damage.

Scleroderma

Systemic Sclerosis is a condition of hardening of the soft tissues, most often of skin. It is associated with Raynaud’s phenomenon (three-phase color changes of the hands). We can make an early diagnosis, carefully monitor the disease and implement evidence-based treatment strategies.

Sjogren’s

Sjogren’s Syndrome is an autoimmune condition in which the body attacks the glands that produce moisture, such as the salivary and tear glands. It can be associated with other conditions like RA and Lupus.

Systemic Vasculitis

Vasculitis is inflammaiton of blood vessels. We can assess which type and design a treatment strategy.

Temporal Arteritis

Giant Cell Arteritis is inflammation of cranial blood vessels associated with another condition called polymyalgia rheumatica. It can lead to blindness if not treated properly.

Tendinitis

Inflammation of the fibrous ends of muscles can occur with inflammatory diseases or activity. We can determine which and help you develop a treatment strategy.

Vasculitis

Vasculitis is a term for a group of rare diseases that have in common inflammation of blood vessels. These vessels include arteries and veins. There are many types of vasculitis, and they may vary greatly in symptoms, severity and duration. Most types of vasculitis are rare, and the causes are generally not known. Vasculitis affects persons of both sexes and all ages.