Osteoarthritis Center - Billerica, MA
Billerica Rheumatologist Doctors for OsteoarthritisType 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 Billerica * Lahey Clinic Medical Center Rheumatology  Lahey Clinic Medical Center Rheumatology  Lahey Clinic Medical Center Rheumatology  Joel H Epstein MD  Tina J Horwitz MD  Rheumatology and Internal Medicine Associates  Lahey Medical Center Lexington Internal Medicine  Martin J Kafina MD  Alan B Marks MD  Fertility Center of New England Inc  Phyllis N Spieler MD  Elizabeth T Curtis MD  Lahey Clinic Arlington Internal Medicine  Lahey Clinic Arlington Internal Medicine  Robert Pastan MD  Nicola Mogavero MD  William F Winchell MD & Lenning Chang MD  Internists Associated PC  Newton-Wellesley Hospital Fibromyalgia Center  William F Winchell MD & Lenning Chang MD  Stuart Schneller MD  Brigham & Women's Orthopaedic & Arthritis  Women's Health Associates  Cambridge Health Alliance Orthopaedics & Rheumatology  Hubert I Caplan MD  MIT Medical Department Rheumatology  Fred G Kantrowitz MD  Brigham & Womans Hospital  Brigham & Womans Hospital  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Orthopaedic Surgery  Beth Israel Hospital Rheumatology Department & Lupus Center  Beth Israel Hospital Rheumatology Department & Lupus Center  Beth Israel Hospital Rheumatology Department & Lupus Center  Beth Israel Hospital Rheumatology Department & Lupus Center  Beth Israel Hospital Rheumatology Department & Lupus Center  Brigham & Women's Hospital  Beth Israel Hospital Rheumatology Department & Lupus Center  Beth Israel Hospital Rheumatology Department & Lupus Center  Beth Israel Hospital Rheumatology Department & Lupus Center  Brigham & Women's Hospital Arthritis Center  Brigham & Women's Hospital Arthritis Center  Brigham & Women's Hospital Arthritis Center  Brigham & Women's Hospital Arthritis Center  Brigham & Women's Hospital Arthritis Center  Brigham & Women's Hospital Arthritis Center  Brigham & Women's Hospital Arthritis Center  Brigham & Women's Hospital Arthritis Center  Brigham & Women's Hospital Arthritis Center  Brigham & Women's Hospital Arthritis Center  Brigham & Women's Hospital Arthritis Center  Brigham & Women's Hospital Arthritis Center  Brigham & Women's Hospital Arthritis Center  Brigham & Women's Hospital Arthritis Center  Brigham & Women's Hospital Arthritis Center  Miley & Davidson Medical Assoc  Brigham & Women's Hospital Arthritis Center  Brigham & Women's Hospital Arthritis Center  Brigham & Women's Hospital Arthritis Center  Brigham & Women's Hospital Arthritis Center  Brigham & Women's Hospital Arthritis Center  Brigham & Women's Hospital Arthritis Center  Brigham & Women's Hospital Arthritis Center  Brigham & Women's Hospital Arthritis Center  Brigham & Women's Hospital Arthritis Center  MGH Rheumatology Associates  Massachusetts General Hospital Internal Medicine  MGH Rheumatology Associates  MGH Rheumatology Associates  MGH Rheumatology Associates  Harvard School of Public Health  MGH Rheumatology Associates  MGH Rheumatology Associates  MGH Rheumatology Associates  MGH Rheumatology Associates  MGH Rheumatology Associates  MGH Rheumatology Associates  MGH Rheumatology Associates  MGH Rheumatology Associates  Tufts Medical Center Rheumatology  Tufts Medical Center Rheumatology  Kenneth Pariser MD  Boston Medical Center Rheumatology  Boston Medical Center Rheumatology  Boston Medical Center Rheumatology  Boston Medical Center Rheumatology  Boston Medical Center Rheumatology  Boston Medical Center Rheumatology  Boston Medical Center Rheumatology  Boston Medical Center Rheumatology  Martha Skinner MD  The North Shore Medical Group  VA Boston Healthcare System West Roxbury  Dedham Medical Associates  Groton Medical Associates  Groton Medical Associates  Eileen Lynn Winston MD  Lynnfield Medical Assoc  Arthritis Associates Inc  William Lloyd MD  Rheumatological Services Billerica, MassachusettsUpcoming Local Events2012-06-10
2012-06-10
2012-06-16
2012-07-03
2012-07-28
2012-08-19
2012-09-22
2012-09-30
2012-10-21
2012-11-11
OsteoarthritisRead the Osteoarthritis article » What is osteoarthritis?Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that is caused by the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage of one or more joints. Cartilage is a protein substance that serves as a "cushion" between the bones of the joints. Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative arthritis. Among the over 100 different types of arthritis conditions, osteoarthritis is the most common, affecting over 20 million people in the United States. Osteoarthritis occurs more frequently as we age. Before age 45, osteoarthritis occurs more frequently in males. After 55 years of age, it occurs more frequently in females. In the United States, all races appear equally affected. A higher incidence of osteoarthritis exists in the Japanese population, while South-African blacks, East Indians, and Southern Chinese have lower rates. Osteoarthritis commonly affects the hands, feet, spine, and large weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees. Most cases of osteoarthritis have no known cause and are referred to as primary osteoarthritis. When the cause of the osteoarthritis is known, the condition is referred to as secondary osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is sometimes abbreviated OA.
What causes osteoarthritis?Primary osteoarthritis is mostly related to aging. With aging, the water content of the cartilage increases, and the protein makeup of cartilage degenerates. Eventually, cartilage begins to degenerate by flaking or forming tiny crevasses. In advanced cases, there is a total loss of cartilage cushion between the bones of the joints. Repetitive use of the worn joints over the years can irritate and inflame the cartilage, causing joint pain and swelling. Loss of the cartilage cushion causes friction between the bones, leading to pain and limitation of joint mobility. Inflammation of the cartilage can also stimulate new bone outgrowths (spurs, also referred to as osteophyt... Recommended Reading Related to OsteoarthritisWhat is alkaptonuria?Alkaptonuria is an inherited condition that causes urine to turn black when exposed to air. Ochronosis, a buildup of dark pigment in connective tissues such as cartilage and skin, is also characteristic of the disorder. This blue-black pigmentation usually appears after age 30. People with alkaptonuria typically develop arthritis, particularly in the spine and large joints, beginning in early adulthood. Other features of this condition can include heart problems, kidney stones, and prostate stones. How common is alkaptonuria?This condition is rare, affecting 1 in 250,000 to 1 million people worldwide. Alkaptonuria is more common in certain areas of Slovakia (where it has an incidence of about 1 in 19,000 people) and in the Dominican Republic. What genes are related to alkaptonuria?Mutations in the HGD gene cause alkaptonuria. The HGD gene provides instructions for maki... Other Related Osteoarthritis ArticlesEmergency Contact for Billerica
Nearby Billerica Hospitals *Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital Tewksbury Hospital Lahey Clinic Medical Center Saints Medical Center HC Solomon Mental Health Center Lowell General Hospital Emerson Hospital HEALTHSOUTH New England Rehabilitation Hospital Isham Health Center Winchester Hospital McLean Hospital Lawrence General Hospital Lawrence Memorial Hospital Melrose Wakefield Hospital Caritas Holy Family Hospital and Medical Center Somerville Hospital Mount Auburn Hospital Northeast Rehabilitation Health Network North Shore Medical Center Youville Hospital and Rehabilitation Center Cambridge Hospital Whidden Memorial Hospital Caritas St Elizabeth's Medical Center Franciscan Hospital for Children Newton Wellesley Hospital Kindred Hospital Boston Nashoba Valley Medical Center Arbour HRI Hospital Lawrence F Quigley Memorial Hospital M I T Medical Baldpate Hospital Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Kindred Hospital Boston North Shore Massachusetts General Hospital Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary Shriners Hospitals for Children Boston Burn Hospital Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Southern New Hampshire Medical Center Children's Hospital Boston Dana Farber Cancer Institute Brigham & Women's Hospital St Joseph Hospital Tufts New England Medical Center New England Baptist Hospital VA Boston Healthcare System Jamaica Plain Campus Merrimack Valley Hospital Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital Haverhill Boston Medical Center Salem Hospital & the Birthplace Arbour Hospital North Shore Children's Hospital Radius Specialty Hospital Boston Shaughnessy-Kaplan Rehabilitation Hospital Bournewood Hospital Faulkner Hospital Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for the Aged Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Needham Kindred Specialty Hospital Natick MetroWest Medical Center Leonard Morse Hospital Beverly Hospital Lemuel Shattuck Hospital Massachusetts Mental Health Center VA Boston Healthcare System West Roxbury Campus UMass Memorial Marlborough Hospital MetroWest Medical Center Framingham Union Hospital Caritas Carney Hospital Hampstead Hospital Parkland Medical Center Milton Hospital UMass Memorial Clinton Hospital Westwood Lodge Hospital Quincy Medical Center Westborough State Hospital Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital Westborough HealthAlliance Hospital Leominster Campus Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
Suggested Reading on Osteoarthritis by Our Doctors
-
Related Diseases & Conditions
16 articles-
Quackery of Arthritis
- Arthritis patients are sometimes vulnerable to quackery (the business of promoting unproven remedies). These "quick fix" treatments are promoted as cure-alls, but they really have no right to such claims. Consumers should be wary of products that have marketing claims like "will cure," "ancient remedy," "has no side effects," and "revolutionary new scientific breakthrough." Read about arthritis remedies and tests that have no scientific proof of benefits.
-
Lower Back Pain
- There are many causes of back pain. Pain in the low back can relate to the bony lumbar spine, discs between the vertebrae, ligaments around the spine and discs, spinal cord and nerves, muscles of the low back, internal organs of the pelvis and abdomen, and the skin covering the lumbar area.
-
Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis
- Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH or Forestier's disease) is a form of degenerative arthritis. It is characterized by calcification along the sides of the vertebrae of the spine. Symptoms include stiffness and pain in the upper and lower back. Anti-inflammatory medications are used to treat DISH.
-
Ganglion
- A ganglion is a fluid-filled cyst that forms from the joint or tendon lining. Ganglia are most frequently found in the ankles and wrists and are usually painless. A ganglion often resolves on its own. Aspiration of the ganglion fluid or surgery may be necessary.
-
Knee Pain
- The knee joint is composed of three compartments and ligaments which stabilize the joint. Causes of knee pain may include injury, degeneration, infrequently infection and rarely bone tumors. Although routine x-rays do not revel meniscus tears, they can be used to exclude other problems of the bones and tissues. The knee joint is the most commonly involved joint in rheumatic disease, as well as immune diseases that affect various tissues of the body.
-
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs and Ulcers
- Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are prescribed medications for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. Examples of NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and more. One common side effect of NSAIDs is peptic ulcer (ulcers of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum). Side effects, drug interactions, warnings and precautions, and patient safety information should be reviewed prior to taking NSAIDs.
-
Bunions
- The common bunion, an enlargement of the inner portion of the joint at the base of the big toe, primarily affects women. The signs and symptoms of bunions include inflammation, redness, tenderness, and pain of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. The little toe may also develop a bunion (tailor's bunion). Rest, walking shoes, stretching, cold packs, and antiinflammatory medications may alleviate pain. Surgery is also a treatment option.
-
Baker Cyst
- A Baker cyst, also called a popliteal cyst, is swelling caused by knee joint fluid protruding to the back of the knee (popliteal area of the knee). Not uncommon, baker cysts can be caused by virtually any type of joint swelling (arthritis). They are often resolved with removal of excess knee fluid in conjunction with cortisone injections.
-
Biorhythms
- Biologic rhythms, or biorhythms, are how our bodies respond to the regular phases of the sun, moon, and seasons. A medical chronobiologist studies how the "body clock" or biorhythms affect diseases and how the body clock responds to treatment of diseases and conditions at different times of the day.
-
Degenerative Disc Disease & Sciatica
- Degenerative disc disease makes the disc more susceptible to herniation (rupture) which can lead to localized or radiating pain. The pain from degenerative disc or joint disease of the spine is usually treated conservatively with intermittent heat, rest, rehabilitative exercises and medications to relieve pain, muscle spasm and inflammation.
-
Arthritis
- Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints. When joints are inflamed they can develop stiffness, warmth, swelling, redness and pain. There are over 100 types of arthritis including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, gout, and pseudogout.
-
Alkaptonuria
- Alkaptonuria is a condition that causes urine to turn black when exposed to air. Alkaptonuria is inherited, and usually appears after 30 years of age. Kidney stones, heart problems, arthritis, and prostate stones are also conditions associated with alkaptonuria.
-
Chronic Pain
- Chronic pain is pain (an unpleasant sense of discomfort) that persists or progresses over a long period of time. In contrast to acute pain that arises suddenly in response to a specific injury and is usually treatable, chronic pain persists over time and is often resistant to medical treatments.
-
Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction (SI Joint Pain)
- Sacroiliac joint (SI) dysfunction is a general term to reflect pain in the SI joints. Causes of SI joint pain include osteoarthritis, abnormal walking pattern, and disorders that can cause SI joint inflammation including gout, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Treatment includes oral medications, cortisone injections, and surgery.
-
Torn Meniscus
- A torn meniscus (knee cartilage) may be caused by suddenly stopping, sharply twisting, or deep squatting or kneeling when lifting heavy weight. Symptoms of a meniscal tear include pain with running or walking long distances, popping when climbing stairs, a giving way sensation, locking, or swelling. Treatment depends upon the severity, location, and underlying disease of the knee joint.
-
Radiculopathy
- Radiculopathy, a condition in which a nerve or nerves along the spine are compressed causing pain, numbness, weakenss, and tingling along the nerve(s). Some causes of radiculopathy include bone spurs, disc hernation, osteoarthritis, tumors, infection, and neuropathy. Treatment depends on the are of nerve compression. Surgery is generally not required.
-
Quackery of Arthritis
-
Medications
22 articles -
Procedures & Tests
11 articles -
Pictures, Images & Quizzes
10 articles -
Doctor's & Expert's Views
38 articles -
Health News
47 articles -
Health Features
20 articles
