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Osteoarthritis Specialist

Integral Rheumatology & Immunology Specialists

Rheumatologists located in Plantation, FL

Approximately 31 million Americans have osteoarthritis, and that number is expected to rise as the population ages and lives longer. One of the keys to successfully battling the condition is to enlist the help of an expert team of specialists, like the ones found at Integral Rheumatology & Immunology Specialists. Guillermo Valenzuela, MD, and Marilu Colon, MD, use the latest therapies to help their patients in Plantation, Florida, lead healthy, active lives. To tap the expertise of these rheumatologists, call the office or fill out the online form to schedule an appointment.

Osteoarthritis Q & A

What is Osteoarthritis?

Arthritis is a catchall term for a long list of conditions that affect the joints in your body, and osteoarthritis is head and shoulders above the rest in terms of prevalence. This degenerative condition is caused when the cartilage in your joints begins to wear down, causing inflammation and pain as your bones begin to rub together.

What Causes Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is caused by the wear and tear put on your joints over the years. Your cartilage is a slippery substance that covers your bones in order to help them move more easily against one another in your joints. The more you use your joints, the more your cartilage begins to wear down, eventually breaking apart completely.

While age leads the charge in the factors that put you at risk for osteoarthritis, other behaviors and conditions can exacerbate the problem, including:

  • Being overweight
  • Injuries in your joints
  • Repetitive stresses on your joints
  • Bone irregularities

Women are more prone to developing osteoarthritis, as are people with genetic tendencies for the condition.

What are the Symptoms of Osteoarthritis?

The most common symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

  • Pain
  • Inflammation
  • Tenderness
  • Stiffness
  • Less range of motion

Since osteoarthritis is degenerative, so are these symptoms, worsening over time unless you seek medical intervention.

How is Osteoarthritis Treated?

There’s no magic bullet when it comes to osteoarthritis, but the doctors at Integral Rheumatology & Immunology Specialists have a number of treatments that help with the pain and inflammation, allowing you to remain as active as possible. These treatments and therapies include:

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications
  • Acetaminophen
  • Prescription medications that help with the pain
  • Corticosteroid injections
  • Hyaluronic acid injections
  • Physical therapy
  • Surgical recommendations, if necessary

The doctors at Integral Rheumatology & Immunology Specialists take a holistic approach to your problem and tackle it from every appropriate direction. They also follow, and contribute to, the latest treatment protocols for arthritis and continually strive to provide you with treatments that work to prevent osteoarthritis from sidelining you from life.

If osteoarthritis is hampering your ability to move about freely, call the office or use the online scheduler to book an appointment.

What we offer

Rheumatology & Immunology Services