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Felty's Syndrome Center - Des Moines, IA

Des Moines Rheumatologist Doctors for Felty's Syndrome

Type of Physician: Rheumatologist

What is a Rheumatologist?

A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners treat diseases of the joints, muscles, bones, and tendons. The rheumatologist diagnoses and treats arthritis, back pain, muscle strains, common athletic injuries, etc. The rheumatologist may work closely with other specialists such as orthopaedic surgeons and physical therapists.

Specialty: Rheumatology

Common Name:

Rheumatologist Doctors in Des Moines *

Methodist Plaza Specialty Clinic
Nathan Josephson
1221 Pleasant St
STE 300
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 241-4200

IHP Methodist Plaza Specialty
Nathan Josephson
1221 Pleasant St
STE 375
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 241-4200

Mercy Arthritis Center
Alan L Braun
8421 Plum Dr
Mercy Arthritis Ctr
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 643-9699

Mercy Arthritis Center
Mark A Burdt
8421 Plum Dr
Mercy Arthritis Ctr
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 643-9699

Mercy Arthritis Center
Michael Finan
8421 Plum Dr
Mercy Arthritis Ctr
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 643-9699

Mercy Arthritis Center
Joseph O Gilg
8421 Plum Dr
Mercy Arthritis Ctr
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 643-9699

Mercy Arthritis Center
Kristin L Harts
8421 Plum Dr
Mercy Arthritis Ctr
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 643-9699

Mercy Arthritis Center
Cory B Pittman
8421 Plum Dr
Mercy Arthritis Ctr
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 643-9699

Mercy Arthritis Center
Mary A Radia
8421 Plum Dr
Mercy Arthritis Ctr
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 643-9699

Mercy Arthritis Center
Lawrence Rettenmaier
8421 Plum Dr
Mercy Arthritis Ctr
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 643-9699

Mercy Arthritis Center
Christopher J Ronkar
8421 Plum Dr
Mercy Arthritis Ctr
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 643-9699

McFarland Clinic Rheumatology
David D Gerbracht
1015 Duff Ave
Rheumatology
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-4775

Des Moines, Iowa

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Felty's Syndrome

What is Felty's syndrome?

Felty's syndrome is a complication of long-standing rheumatoid arthritis. Felty's syndrome is defined by the presence of three conditions: rheumatoid arthritis, an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly), and an abnormally low white blood count. Felty's syndrome is uncommon. It affects less than 1% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

What are the symptoms of Felty's syndrome?

Some patients with Felty's syndrome have more infections, such as pneumonia or skin infections, than the average person. This increased susceptibility to infections is attributed to the low white blood counts that are characteristic of Felty's syndrome. Ulcers in the skin over the legs can complicate Felty's syndrome.

What causes Felty's syndrome?

The cause of Felty's syndrome is not known. Some patients with rheumatoid arthritis develop Felty's syndrome but most do not. White blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. There seems to be an active bone marrow function in patients with Felty's syndrome, producing white cells, despite the low numbers of circulating white blood cells. White cells may be stored excessively in the spleen of a patient with Felty's syndrome. This is especially true in patients with Felty's syndrome that have antibodies against the particular type of white blood cells usually affected (cells called granulocytes or neutrophils).

How is Felty's syndrome diagnosed?

There is no single test for Felty's syndrome. It is diagnosed based on the presence of the three conditions mentioned above. Most patients do have rheumatoid arthritis antibodies (rheumatoid factor) in the blood.

How is Felty's syndrome treated?

Treatment of Felty's syndrome is not always required. The underlying rheumatoid arthritis is managed in the standard fashion. Treatments used for patients with recu...

Recommended Reading Related to Felty's Syndrome

Ultrasound »

Introduction

While the patient's history and physical examination are the building blocks of making a medical diagnosis, the ability to peer inside the body can be a powerful tool. Ultrasound is an imaging technique that provides that ability to medical practitioners.

What is an ultrasound?

Ultrasound produces sound waves that are beamed into the body causing return echoes that are recorded to "visualize" structures beneath the skin. The ability to measure different echoes reflected from a variety of tissues allows a shadow picture to be constructed. The technology is especially accurate at seeing the interface between solid and fluid filled spaces. These are actually the same principles that allow SONAR on boats to see the bottom of the ocean.

What is ultrasonography?

Ultrasonography is body imaging using ultrasound in medical diagnosis. A skilled ultrasound technician is able to...

Emergency Contact for Des Moines

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Des Moines Hospitals *

Mercy Medical Center Des Moines
1111 6th Ave
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515)247-3121

Iowa Lutheran Hospital
700 E University Ave
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515)263-5612

Blank Children's Hospital
1200 Pleasant St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515)241-5437

Iowa Methodist Medical Center
1200 Pleasant St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515)241-6212

Broadlawns Medical Center
1801 Hickman Rd
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515)282-2200

VA Central Iowa Health Care Des Moines
3600 30th St
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515)699-5999

Mercy Franklin Center
1818 48th St
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515)271-6000

Madison County Healthcare System
300 Hutchings St
Winterset, IA 50273
(515)462-2373

Dallas County Hospital
610 Tenth St
Perry, IA 50220
(515)465-3547

Skiff Medical Center
204 N Fourth Ave E
Newton, IA 50208
(641)792-1273

Story County Medical Center
630 Sixth St
Nevada, IA 50201
(515)382-2111

Mary Greeley Medical Center
1111 Duff Ave
Ames, IA 50010
(515)239-2011

VA Central Iowa Health Care Knoxville
1515 W Pleasant St
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641)842-3101

Knoxville Hospital & Clinics
1002 S Lincoln St
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641)842-2151

Boone County Hospital
1015 Union St
Boone, IA 50036
(515)432-3140

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