If you're struggling with a known or suspected inflammatory arthritis disorder, a rheumatologist in the Sutter Health network can get you started on the road to better health. Rheumatologists focus on the medical study of rheumatic (painful or arthritic joints) diseases.
Although rheumatoid arthritis is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis, there are several other types that affect millions of Americans. Sutter care centers offer help for many of these conditions, including:
- Lupus
- CPPD (Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate)
- Gout
- Psoriatic Arthritis
Diagnosing different forms of inflammatory arthritis can be tricky because they all have similar symptoms. Your primary care doctor or rheumatologist may order tests, such as blood work, biopsies, joint fluid analyses, MRIs and ultrasounds, to rule out different conditions.
Once you have a diagnosis, you and your doctor will discuss all possible treatment options and determine the best one for your situation. Because inflammatory arthritis can become chronic, your doctor can help you develop a long-term health plan that includes regular exams, medication, exercise, nutritional guidance and physical therapy.
Doctors throughout the Sutter Health network also treat inflammatory arthritis conditions with a variety of medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen; corticosteroids; infusion therapy; and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologics, which suppress overactive immune systems caused by autoimmune disorders.
Whatever type of inflammatory arthritis you have, we focus on your individual health needs and help you get back to your everyday activities.
