Seeing a specialized medical partnership such as arthritis associates is the most reliable way to get rid of arthritis. But, what are the things to consider before choosing the right ones?
Almost all of the arthritis associates offers comprehensive care for patients with arthritis and rheumatological disease. They usually consist of highly-qualified professionals in their field.
Bottomline; general services that arthritis associates can offer are an on-site laboratory, radiology facilities, and therapy consultation.
However, some of them are having more variety of services that might increase the success rate of the recovery.
Here are in-depth explanations of the arthritis associates.
What is Arthritis Associates?
First of all, Arthritis Associates or often called Arthritis and Rheumatism Associates is a medical partnership consists of health professionals that assess patients and prescribe treatment limited to rheumatic disease.
Arthritis and rheumatism associates also provide specialize rheumatic disorders such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and gout.
According to the American College of Rheumatology, they affirmed a surprising number about the prevalence statistic.
As written in https://rheumatology.org on March 2017, the center for disease control and prevention, Vital Signs, announced data estimating that 54.4 million U.S. adults have arthritis. Similarly, equating to about 25% of the adult populations.
Related:
Why consulting to arthritis associates so important?
According to the statistic, more than 54 million people are such a significant number. Therefore, specialized medical care is crucially needed and taking a prominent position.
Since the 1970s, arthritis associates took a leading role in rheumatological care and treatment. Cutting edge on-site facilities coupled with experienced physicians, make the partnership a valuable choice.
The most important thing is to connect people with the same condition in order to allow the physicians maintaining personalized care efficiently.
What do Arthritis and Rheumatism Associates provide?
Generally, arthritis associates offer assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and also knowledge of lifestyle management.
In-detail services include:
1. Laboratory testing
On-site laboratory services are the main thing to improve the efficiency of each patient’s condition. In other words, an on-site lab is a time and money saver.
Moreover, having an on-site lab allows them to ensure accurate communication between physicians and lab technicians for the benefit of the patients.
Recently, many laboratories are requiring certification from the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) as a regulatory standard.
2. Clinical research and lifestyle education
Many arthritis associates often provide educational lifestyle management based on clinical research. The research itself usually conducted together with local medical center authorities.
The patients can participate in research trials if they are interested. Surprisingly, the cost of study-related care and medication is in the house.
3. Radiology
Arthritis associates provide several radiology services, include:
- X-Ray Services
Many practitioners have an on-the-spot X-Ray department that will save the patient’s time if the physician requires additional imaging.
- DEXA Scan
A DEXA scan or bone density scan is a particular type of x-ray that measures the mineral density in the bone.
It is a painless procedure and used to help diagnose bone-related conditions such as osteoporosis.
You just lie on your back, hold still until the scan finished and it is done. As well as being quick and painless in identifying bone mineral density, a DEXA scan is way more effective than regular x-rays.
- MRI
In some cases, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan can also be essential in the process of diagnosing arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis often need a complete diagnosis on a minuscule scale. That being so, an MRI scan produces images that reveal microdamage changes to bone and arthritis progression.
This clear picture enables the physician to adjust the personalized treatment efficiently.
In contrast to the x-rays, MRI uses a large magnet, radio waves, and a computer to produce vibrant data images. As a result, an MRI exam can take between 40 and 80 minutes from the start to finished.
- Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
Unlike radiology, which is using radiation, musculoskeletal ultrasound is using sound waves to visualize soft tissue structures such as muscles and tendons.
In patients who have a pacemaker, metallic vascular clips in the body or head are not allowed to use a radiation-based scanning such as MRI.
Having said that, ultrasound imaging is the first choice and have no restriction. Therefore, the physician can observe tissues at a much higher precision than radiation-based imaging.
4. Infusion and Injection Center
Infusion and injection center provides therapy to reduce joint swelling and aching dramatically.
5. Infusion therapy
Since many patients that require infusion services do not need to be hospitalized, arthritis associates usually have an on-site suite that provides outpatient infusion services.
In addition to providing patients with effective treatment, the on-site infusion suite minimizes the need for separate visits to laboratory or hospitals.
6. Joint injection
In some rheumatic disease, joint injections can be helpful. There are two kinds of injections which are; injection with cortisone, and aspirations (taking fluid out of a joint).
The physician is usually performing joint injections in the office. The procedure begins with a cold spray or other local anesthesia after the skin surface is thoroughly cleaned.
Then, the joint can be injected with a needle attached to a syringe.
7. Rehabilitation program
The patients might participate in a rehabilitation program as part of the treatment plan.
The program is an extension of the services that arthritis associates offer to patients who have been prescribed a course of physical therapy as part of the recovery plan.
A rehabilitation program is available without a medical prescription. The bad news is, usually not covered by insurance.
Offerings include massage therapy, personal training, yoga, Osteoporosis class, and customized exercise.
Conclusion
Over 54 million Americans have arthritis. That means, in 1 in every five people suffer from pain and discomfort.
An on-site laboratory, radiology, and therapy consultation are the standard services you can get from arthritis associates.
More superior and specialized services are supplementary. However, they might be factors to improve recovery.
Resources:
Is It Normal to Feel Pain Months After Hernia Surgery? Let’s...