Osteoarthritis
When To Call a Doctor
Many conditions can cause symptoms similar to osteoarthritis. In order to determine the cause of your symptoms, call your health professional if you experience:
- Sudden, unexplained swelling, warmth, or pain in any joint or joints.
- Joint pain associated with a fever or rash.
- Pain so severe that you are unable to use the joint.
- Mild joint symptoms that continue despite home treatment for more than 6 weeks.
Side effects can develop from taking large doses of ASA or other arthritis medicine to relieve pain. Do not exceed the recommended dose of medicine without first talking to your health professional.
Watchful Waiting
If you have mild joint pain and stiffness, try home treatment first. If there is no improvement in 6 weeks, or if joint symptoms persist, call your doctor.
Who To See
Your family doctor or general practitioner can evaluate and manage the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Individualized therapeutic programs can be designed that consider the severity of your symptoms, level of physical activity, and general health. You may be referred to additional health professionals, such as:
- An internist.
- A physiatrist.
- A rheumatologist.
- A pain management specialist.
- An orthopedic surgeon.
- A physiotherapist.
- A nurse practitioner.
- An occupational therapist.
- A dietitian.
- A social worker.
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment
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| Author: | Douglas Dana Robin Parks, MS | Last Updated: July 24, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Brian D. O'Brien, MD - Internal Medicine Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology | |
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