Osteoarthritis Center - Walnut Creek, CA
Walnut Creek 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 Walnut Creek * Nishio & Sharma MD  Nishio & Sharma MD  Northern California Arthritis Center  Northern California Arthritis Center  Northern California Arthritis Center  Northern California Arthritis Center  Northern California Arthritis Center  Northern California Arthritis Center  John Muir Medical Center Hospitalist  Ronald G Connolly MD  Kaiser Permanente Medical Group Rheumatology  Arthritis and Rheumatology Center  East Bay Rheumatology  Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center  Richard R Fong MD  Ernest I Katler MD  Washington Arthritis Center  Hisaka Ohmoto & Charlene Hu MDs  Fremont Medical Group  Barry E Shibuya MD  Thomas A McDermott MD  UC Davis Rheumatology  Robert J Deitz MD  Pacific Rheumatology Associates  Nancy Lee Carteron MD FACR  Pacific Rheumatology Associates  Pacific Heights Medical Group  Pacific Rheumatology Associates  Pacific Heights Medical Group  Weitz Medical Management  Internal Medicine  Mercy Doctors Medical Group  Michael K Chan MD  SOAR Medical  Ephraim P Engleman MD  UCSF Rheumatology  Michael P Stevens MD  Peninsula Medical Center San Mateo Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation  Lipton Kucera & Associates  Burlingame Pacifica Medical Group  SOAR Sports Orthopedic & Rehabilitation  SOAR Sports Orthopedic & Rehabilitation  Umesh Sab MD  Peninsula Medical Group  UCSF VA Medical Center  Menlo Medical Clinic  Palo Alto Medical Clinic Medical Specialties  Palo Alto Medical Clinic Medical Specialties  Peter H Stein MD  Medical Specialties Clinic  Medical Specialties Clinic  Medical Specialties Clinic  Stanford University Medical Center  Joan T Campagna MD  Camino Medical Group Mountain View Clinic  Camino Medical Group Mountain View Clinic  G Ang-Fonte MD  Kaiser Santa Clara Rheumatology  Arthritis Care Center  Bruce J Dreyfuss MD  Arthritis & Rheumatism Center  Arthritis & Rheumatism Center  Arthritis & Rheumatism Center  Feng Lee & Restifo MD  Feng Lee & Restifo MD  Feng Lee & Restifo MD  KPMC Santa Teresa Medical Center Rheumatology  UC Davis Specialty Clinic  Albert A Ferrari MD  Kaiser Stockton Rheumatology  Kaiser Stockton Rheumatology  Kaiser Stockton Rheumatology  Lisa B Kremer MD  Woodland Healthcare Clinic  Raul J Romea MD  Northern California Medical Associates  Mercy Medical Group Medical Specialties  UC Davis Medical Group Internal & Family Practice Clinic  UC Davis Medical Group Internal & Family Practice Clinic  Sutter Medical Foundation Subspecialty  Sutter Medical Foundation Subspecialty  Midtown Internal Medicine Group  Joan V Barber MD  Thaila Ramanujam MD  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Soquel Ave  Lester Miller MD  Douglas E Roberts MD  Sacramento Rheumatology Consultants  Sacramento Rheumatology Consultants  Gerlie L Papillion MD  Kaiser Permanente  Douglas Haselwood MD  Kanwal Khanna MD  E Michael Thelen MD  Sutter Gould Medical Foundation  UC Davis Medical Group Roseville  Heart Institute  Arthritis Center  Heart Institute  Arthritis Center Walnut Creek, CaliforniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-16
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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 Walnut Creek
Nearby Walnut Creek Hospitals *Kaiser Permanente Walnut Creek Medical Center John Muir Medical Center Walnut Creek Campus John Muir Medical Center Concord Campus John Muir Behavioral Health Center VA Northern CA Healthcare System at Martinez Contra Costa Regional Medical Center San Ramon Regional Medical Center Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Alta Bates Campus Alameda County Medical Center Highland Campus Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Herrick Campus Kaiser Permanente Medical Center at Oakland Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Summit Campus Kindred Hospital San Francisco Bay Area John George Psychiatric Pavilion San Leandro Hospital Alameda County Medical Center Fairmont Campus Alameda Hospital Eden Medical Center Sutter Delta Medical Center Doctor's Medical Center San Pablo ValleyCare Health System Pleasanton St Helena Hospital Center for Behavioral Health St Rose Hospital Sutter Solano Medical Center Kaiser Permanente Vallejo Medical Center Kaiser Permanente Hayward Medical Center Chinese Hospital Saint Francis Memorial Hospital San Francisco General Hospital California Pacific Medical Center Pacific Campus Valley Memorial Hospital UCSF Medical Center at Mount Zion Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center St Luke's Hospital California Pacific Medical Center Davies Campus California Pacific Medical Center California Campus California Pacific Medical Center East Campus St Mary's Medical Center Telecare Solano Psychiatric Health Facility UCSF Medical Center at Parnassus Laguna Honda Hospital & Rehabilitation Center Washington Hospital Fremont Hospital NorthBay Medical Center Livermore Division of the VA Palo Alto Healthcare System San Francisco VA Medical Center Marin General Hospital Kentfield Rehabilitation & Specialty Hospital Kaiser Permanente South San Francisco Medical Center Seton Medical Center Mills Hospital Kaiser Permanente San Rafael Medical Center Mills-Peninsula Health Services Napa State Hospital San Mateo Medical Center Kaiser Permanente Redwood City Medical Center Novato Community Hospital Menlo Park Surgical Hospital Sequoia Hospital Queen of the Valley Medical Center VacaValley Hospital Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford Hospital & Clinics Sonoma Valley Hospital VA Palo Alto Health Care System 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
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Related Diseases & Conditions
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Quackery of Arthritis
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Medications
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Procedures & Tests
11 articles -
Pictures, Images & Quizzes
10 articles -
Doctor's & Expert's Views
38 articles -
Health News
47 articles -
Health Features
20 articles
