Arthritis is a disease that is often characterized by the pain and inflammation that comes along with it. Many people living with arthritis often feel powerless to the aches they feel and think there is nothing they can do to fight it. Luckily, there are many ways to reduce arthritis inflammation, beginning with food. […]
Rheumatoid Arthritis or RA is a chronic autoimmune disorder that can be very painful. RA causes inflammation of the joints which can lead to stiffness and swelling in the affected area. […]
Most people who suffer with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) know all about its primary symptom, joint stiffness and swelling. While this is the most common and noticeable symptom it is not the worst problem that RA patients can suffer. […]
If you suffer from or know someone who suffers from arthritis pain, you know just how challenging it can be to get through your daily routine. While there is not a permanent solution for arthritis, there are treatments available to help manage the pain and its progression. […]
Arthritis Care Arthritis is a diagnosis that refers to joint pain and is commonly associated with aging. The pain that follows arthritic symptoms decreases your range of motion and increases physical limitations, making daily activity incredibly difficult. This debilitating health disorder causes inflammation in the joints. There are currently 100 different types of arthritis and is the most common chronic illness in the United States. Common forms of arthritis include seropositive rheumatoid arthritis and basal joint arthritis. Common causes of arthritis include bacterial & viral infections, hereditary factors, injury, the effects of aging, and some autoimmune issues. An accurate reading of your arthritic symptoms is needed to correctly diagnose your source of pain. IBJI will discuss [...]
Do you have pain in your wrist or hands? Do you have stiffness in your fingers that seems to be worst in the mornings? What about numbness in your fingers? All of these symptoms are common with arthritis in the hands. Arthritis in the hands can dramatically reduce the quality of life as not having full usage of your hands can really alter how you do things or stop normal day-to-day activities completely. […]
Dr. Alfonso Bello is a board-certified rheumatologist with an additional board certification in pain medicine. He provides care for arthritis, osteoporosis and inflammatory diseases. Dr. Bello provides advanced treatments, including the latest forms of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and biologic therapies. He puts particular emphasis on strategies to control patients’ pain, whatever the cause may be. He takes a holistic approach that combines medication with physical therapy, nutritional therapy and other treatments. His goal is to put patients’ illnesses into remission and to restore their quality of life. Dr. Bello is the director of rheumatologic research at IBJI. He and his fellow IBJI rheumatologists are conducting multiple clinical trials of new medications, providing patients with the opportunity to take part in these [...]
Although orthopedists and rheumatologists both focus on a patient’s joints, muscles and bones, rheumatologists focus more on joint disorders that can be treated medically while orthopedists specialize in surgical treatments and managing fractures. To help improve patients’ access to care and to ensure they get the best treatment possible, many orthopedic practices have expanded to include rheumatology services. The Difference Between a Rheumatologist and an Orthopedist When suffering from debilitating joint pain, it can be confusing for patients to know whether they should schedule an appointment with a rheumatologist or an orthopedist. Typically, unless you have experienced a trauma to the body that requires a surgical treatment, you will want to schedule an appointment with a rheumatologist first. If caught [...]
Bone Density Testing The Gold Standard for Osteoporosis Diagnosis A Bone Density Test (DXA) can diagnose osteoporosis well before someone fractures. In fact, DXA is the ‘Gold Standard’ used throughout the world to establish bone health status and to track changes in bone strength. Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometer (DXA) is a low dose X-ray instrument that precisely measures the strength, or density, of specific regions of the skeleton or the whole body. The test is painless, takes less than 30 minutes and does not require undressing or fasting. Bone density testing is performed with the patient lying on a comfortable, padded table. A low energy x-ray beam is passed through the bones in the spine, hip [...]
As we have discussed in the past, a rheumatologist can treat a wide variety of diseases and conditions. Many people know that arthritis (both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis), lupus, and fibromyalgia are […]
Osteoporosis is a serious condition that weakens the bones and can lead to increased risk of bone fractures. There are typically no symptoms of osteoporosis until a bone is broken. […]
Arthritis generally describes joint inflammation either from direct trauma injuries, medical illnesses, or regular wear and tear of an active lifestyle. […]
Dr. Gerald Eisenberg is the Director of Rheumatology at Illinois Bone & Joint Institute. He is board-certified in Rhuematology, as well as Internal Medicine. His practice focuses on the treatment of systemic rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and other autoimmune, inflammatory disorders. He, along with the other members of the Rheumatology team, provides cutting edge diagnosis and treatment in a comfortable, one- stop setting. With over thirty years of experience, Dr. Eisenberg uses his hands-on knowledge to work with and guide his patients to the best possible outcomes with the least risk and expense. In addition to the most current diagnostic and therapeutic options, available right in the office, Dr. Eisenberg performs injection therapies for arthritic joint and lower [...]
Overcoming Arthritis Pain With Exercise Arthritis and exercise are commonly thought to be mutually exclusive. In reality exercise is an important part of treating the pain, stiffness and overall fatigue from dealing with arthritis. […]
What Causes Gout High levels of uric acid have been pinpointed as the cause of gout, and individuals accumulate such levels usually after they have consumed considerable amounts of purines. […]
Excruciating pain can come to patients fighting gout. Gout is a condition that occurs when uric acid accumulates in the blood and leads to inflammation in one or more joints. […]
Gout is actually a form of arthritis that commonly affects the big toe in men. It may cause a sudden burning pain in one of your joints, or stiffness and swelling in one or more joints. […]
This week, as we continue our focus on National Bone & Joint Health Awareness Month, we celebrate World Arthritis Day on October 12th. […]
Dr. Ami Kothari is a board-certified rheumatologist. Her practice philosophy involves listening to patients to provide a comprehensive evaluation and treatment plan and establish a strong doctor-patient relationship. She provides advanced treatments to reduce joint inflammation and help control the workings of the body’s immune system. Dr. Kothari encourages patients to be active participants in developing the best treatment strategies as advancements in medicine continue to provide increased therapeutic options. She also offers ultrasound-guided injections, which pinpoint the area receiving medication. Using this procedure helps decrease procedural pain and increase the effectiveness of treatment. Dr. Kothari’s care emphasizes listening to patients carefully in order to provide a comprehensive evaluation and individualized treatment plan. She believes that the more her patients [...]
Lupus & Autoimmune Treatments Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can manifest throughout the body - especially in the musculoskeletal system - in the form of pain and swelling. Your body mistakenly attacks healthy cells and can subsequently affect the skin, joints, lungs, heart, kidneys, blood vessels and brain. Early signs of Lupus can be easily dismissed because symptoms flare and then go into periods of remission. This causes a patient to think nothing is wrong with conditions temporarily gone. Taking the early signs of any autoimmune disease seriously is the first step to a healthier future. Get the right treatment at IBJI so you can continue living an active, fulfilling life. When to See a [...]
May is Lupus Awareness Month, but if you are like most people you’re not really sure what lupus is. In fact, a person may experience headaches, fatigue, joint pain or any number of symptoms associated with the disease and never realize that lupus may be the explanation. […]
What is Lupus? Lupus (lupus erythematosus) is an autoimmune disease that attacks the body’s tissues and organs. […]
Recently, a scientific discovery has been made that is believed to have huge implications for regenerative medicine. The scientists involved have uncovered a new bone-forming growth factor, which may reverse the bone loss associated with osteoporosis. What is Osteoporosis? Meaning “porous bone,” osteoporosis is a bone disease that occurs when your body loses too much bone, produces too little bone, or a combination of the two. Because of this, your bones lose density or mass and contain abnormal tissue structure. Depending on the severity of your osteoporosis, your bones may be more susceptible to break from a fall, or in serious cases, from sneezing or minor bumps. Who is at Risk for Developing Osteoporosis? According to the National [...]
Osteoarthritis Relief Degenerative Joint Disease, or Osteoarthritis, can develop slowly and worsen over time until routine activities aren’t easily feasible. This disease commonly affects the knees, hips, lower back, along with smaller joints in the fingers and toes. Pain and swelling ensues when the protective layer of cartilage breaks down and bones begin to rub against one another. This constant rubbing can eventually lead to other conditions as osteoarthritis symptoms worsen. A bone spur, or a bony projection that develops along the edges of the bone, can also form and are commonly associated as a side effect of osteoarthritis. Contact a local IBJI location near you to get treatment for osteoarthritis to discuss your options with [...]
Osteoarthritis or degenerative arthritis is fairly common in the knees because the knees bear the weight of the entire body. […]
Arthritis is one of the most common debilitating joint diseases, affecting more than 50 million people throughout the United States. Indeed, as the U.S. population ages, the incidence of arthritis is expected to increase. Arthritis comes in two primary forms, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. […]
Even bones can become infected. This can occur through an infection that travels through the blood, when the bone is exposed to bacteria through an injury, or when an infection occurs close to the bone. […]
Osteoporosis Treatments Osteoporosis, also known as “brittle bone disease,” is characterized by low bone strength, which makes bones weak and more likely to fracture. Statistics show that more than 50 million Americans have low bone mass or osteoporosis, 80% of them being women. When To Address Osteoporosis Symptoms With a Doctor Osteoporosis is the leading cause of fracture in our aging population. Falling from a standing position or a bone cracking from normal pressure is often an indicative sign of weakness due to osteoporosis. If you have had a fracture, you should discuss your condition with a health care provider specialized in rheumatology to determine if the cause may be osteoporosis. Types of Osteoporosis There are [...]
Osteoporosis causes bodily changes like the loss of bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue. This leads to bone fragility and increased susceptibility to fractures of the spine, hip, and wrist. […]
Hip osteoarthritis can be painful and even completely debilitating in some cases. After years of motion and abuse, all of that wear and tear can cause damage to a hip, potentially leading to osteoarthritis. This degenerative joint disease is a result of the cartilage in the hip being damaged and worn away over the years. […]
By Madeline Vann, MPH | Everyday Health, March 2014 For artist Rita O’Hara, the joint-crippling potential of rheumatoid arthritis hasn’t dampened her creative spirit. In fact, along with her medication, it’s her art — which she describes as life-giving — that’s enabled her to thrive with RA. […]
Dr. Chinyoung Park is a rheumatologist who is dual board-certified in rheumatology and internal medicine. Dr. Park treats patients with arthritis and other inflammatory, autoimmune, and pain-related disorders including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, psoriatic arthritis, and osteoarthritis. She has special training in treating vasculitis. Dr. Park has lived in the Chicago area since the age of 10 when her family arrived in the United States from Korea. As far back as she can remember, she always wanted to become a doctor. Dr. Park earned her undergraduate degree in biology at University of Illinois, volunteering at local hospitals during summer breaks. She completed her medical degree at Loyola University Medical Center and then an Internal Medicine residency at Michael Reese Hospital [...]
Rheumatoid Arthritis Care Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common form of autoimmune arthritis. It is a chronic disease that causes joint pain, stiffness, swelling and decreased movement of the joints. Small joints in the hands and feet are most commonly affected. Many times patients afflicted with RA report joint stiffness is most common in the morning but gradually improves as the day progresses with gentle joint movement. Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis Fatigue Joint pain Joint tenderness Joint swelling Joint redness Joint warmth Joint stiffness Loss of joint range of motion Many joints affected (polyarthritis) Limping Joint deformity Both sides of the body affected (symmetric) Loss of joint function Anemia Fever When to seek care for [...]
Rheumatology Treatment Rheumatology is a medical specialization that treats rheumatic and autoimmune diseases throughout the musculoskeletal system. This branch of medicine generally treats arthritis, osteoporosis and lupus, just to name a few. A rheumatologist spearheads the diagnosis and treatment of these joint, muscle and bone diseases. When You Should See a Rheumatologist? All pain is serious pain, at least for the body’s sake. Minor pain can subside with rest and limitation of activity, but not all conditions disappear completely. Consulting a rheumatologist for an accurate diagnosis is crucial when pain worsens or recurs in a pattern-like manner. Rheumatology treatment can treat common symptoms such as: fatigue, joint abnormalities, or loss of range of motion and joint [...]
Dr. Alejandra Rodriguez completed her training at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia. She is board-certified in Rheumatology and Internal Medicine and specializes in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal disorders including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, gout, Sjögren’s syndrome, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoporosis, vasculitis and other connective tissue diseases. She works closely with her patients to develop effective, highly individualized approaches to care that may include medications, physical therapy, exercise, diet and more. Managing rheumatologic care for the long-term, she presents options that range from aggressive to conservative, helping patients evaluate and choose options that will help them achieve their best function. Dr. Rodriguez is pleased to offer fully comprehensive care at IBJI. She coordinates a full team that may include [...]
Dr. Patrick Schuette is a board-certified rheumatologist who specializes in treating rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis and Raynaud’s phenomenon (blood vessel spasms) and associated complex autoimmune disease. He provides advanced treatments, including ultrasound-guided injections. In providing care, Dr. Schuette puts a strong emphasis on listening to his patients in order to understand their conditions fully and then informing patients about their treatment options so they can play a role in their care. His goal is to alleviate symptoms as much as possible and to prevent progression of illness and further damage to tissue and joints. Dr. Schuette is dedicated to seeking knowledge that will enhance the care he provides for his patients. He has traveled to medical meetings throughout Europe to expand [...]
Dr. Lori Siegel is a board-certified rheumatologist who provides treatment for all autoimmune conditions, including ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and scleroderma. She provides advanced treatments, including ultrasound-guided injections, and also is able to refer patients to clinical trials of promising new medications being conducted by her IBJI rheumatology colleagues. Fascinated by science and the workings of the human body, Dr. Siegel wanted to be a physician from the time she was six years old. She chose to specialize in rheumatology because it is a field of medicine in which doctors and patients work together as a team. Approachable and easy to confide in, Dr. Siegel stresses building a partnership with her patients, many of whom have conditions that are [...]
Osteoporosis, a condition in which the bones become brittle, frail, and prone to fracture, is a potentially debilitating disease that affects many women and men. Women are particularly predisposed to developing osteoporosis for a variety of reasons. […]
Preventing Bone Loss & Fractures – Tips For Better Bone Health As doctors who treat orthopedic injuries and conditions, our orthopedic physicians see many problems that are avoidable if the person were paying attention to proper bone health. In the busy lives of almost everyone, […]
What is Arthritis? Arthritis is not a single disease; rather, it is a way of referring to joint pain or disease. In fact, there are more than 100 different types of arthritis and related conditions, with the two most common types being osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is a very common condition; about 1 in 5 adults in the United States are affected by it. […]
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease wherein the immune system attacks parts of the body leading to inflammation of the joints. […]
Fibromyalgia is a complex but treatable syndrome. Fibromyalgia is a common yet very complex and often misunderstood illness, so complex it is often misdiagnosed. […]
Rheumatology is a very specific specialty that is part of the much broader internal medicine field. Recently this field has seen rapid change due to rapid technological and scientific advancements as well as an expanded focus on researching immunology. […]
