Would "you" go to Orthopedic Dr or Rheumatologist for "Osteoarthritis"?

SAF · 09-08-09, 04:19 PM

Would you go to an Orthopedic Dr or a Rheumatologist for Cervical Spondylosis, Osteoarthritis of hips and degenerative discs(lumbar)?

cpcathy · 09-08-09, 04:22 PM

If you have one nearby, go to a rheumatologist. Arthritis is their specialty.

lreidgreen · 09-08-09, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpcathy

If you have one nearby, go to a rheumatologist. Arthritis is their specialty.

There are two types of arthritis and rheumatoid arth. would be treated by a rheumatologist. Osteoarthritis would be treated by an orthopedist.

Leslie

macska · 09-08-09, 06:19 PM

OA is definitely an orthopedic issue.

SAF · 09-08-09, 06:41 PM

O.K., then Orthopedic Dr it is! Good, because that is who I made an appt with, but can't get in until Oct. I just got thinking after I made the appt, maybe I should see a Rheumatologist instead-wasn't sure. Just know I don't want the surgery route, so hope he can help, without that.

Once again--thank you everyone for your help!

bzar · 09-08-09, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macska

OA is definitely an orthopedic issue.

ditto.

RA is an auto-immune issue whereas OA is a wearing down of bones issue.

little bird · 09-08-09, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpcathy

If you have one nearby, go to a rheumatologist. Arthritis is their specialty.

I agree with this.
Laverne

susan p · 09-08-09, 07:56 PM

Actually a rheumatologist DOES treat all kinds of arthritis, not just rheumatoid arthritis. However, either one will refer you to the other if necessary, and either one will be competent to help you out, so I don't know that it matters too much!

TuesdayTaylor · 09-08-09, 08:49 PM

I'm just repeating what's already been said here - you'd start with the rheumatologist. I have fairly bad osteoarthritis in my feet and was initially tested for rheumatoid arthritis by the rheumatologist. Once RA was ruled out, I still saw him until I told him I could no longer deal with the pain of my feet - now he is referring me to an orthopaedic surgeon - who will apparently discuss surgical options.

My cousin has Cervical Spondylosis and sees a rheumatologist for this condition.

I asked my rheumtologist's nurse and secretary if he did treat osteoarthritis and they said "yes' - the speciality deals with all forms of arthritis.

SAF · 09-09-09, 06:53 PM

Thanks for all the great answers. I have a $50 co-pay for specialists, and we are getting to the end of the year(end of the spending account $), so I'd like to get it right the first time and not be referred "once again". That's the reason I'm asking.

Kind of a mixed bag now, of answers, between the Rheumatologist and Orthopedic. All I know is I'm not having any surgery and don't want any "drugs', just want to know what exercises I should do or not do, so I don't make it worse.

Doing alot of therapeutic type, gentler workouts; at this point, it's all I feel like doing. Plan to change up the workouts I've been doing and scale things down, for good. Lots of dvds to purge!

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09-08-09, 04:19 PM
SAF Join Date: Feb 2008	Would "you" go to Orthopedic Dr or Rheumatologist for "Osteoarthritis"? Would you go to an Orthopedic Dr or a Rheumatologist for Cervical Spondylosis, Osteoarthritis of hips and degenerative discs(lumbar)?

09-08-09, 04:22 PM
cpcathy Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Southern California	If you have one nearby, go to a rheumatologist. Arthritis is their specialty. __________________ Cathy Nobody Said It was Easy.... --The Scientist

09-08-09, 06:19 PM
macska VF Supporter Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: NJ	OA is definitely an orthopedic issue. __________________ 12 marathons 2 ultra marathons (50k) PR: Mohawk-Hudson Marathon 3hr 40min "You finish when you are done not when you are tired." David Goggins

09-08-09, 06:41 PM
SAF Join Date: Feb 2008	O.K., then Orthopedic Dr it is! Good, because that is who I made an appt with, but can't get in until Oct. I just got thinking after I made the appt, maybe I should see a Rheumatologist instead-wasn't sure. Just know I don't want the surgery route, so hope he can help, without that. Once again--thank you everyone for your help!

09-08-09, 07:56 PM
susan p VF Supporter Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Kansas City	Actually a rheumatologist DOES treat all kinds of arthritis, not just rheumatoid arthritis. However, either one will refer you to the other if necessary, and either one will be competent to help you out, so I don't know that it matters too much!

09-08-09, 08:49 PM
TuesdayTaylor VF Supporter Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Canada	I'm just repeating what's already been said here - you'd start with the rheumatologist. I have fairly bad osteoarthritis in my feet and was initially tested for rheumatoid arthritis by the rheumatologist. Once RA was ruled out, I still saw him until I told him I could no longer deal with the pain of my feet - now he is referring me to an orthopaedic surgeon - who will apparently discuss surgical options. My cousin has Cervical Spondylosis and sees a rheumatologist for this condition. I asked my rheumtologist's nurse and secretary if he did treat osteoarthritis and they said "yes' - the speciality deals with all forms of arthritis.

09-09-09, 06:53 PM
SAF Join Date: Feb 2008	Thanks for all the great answers. I have a $50 co-pay for specialists, and we are getting to the end of the year(end of the spending account $), so I'd like to get it right the first time and not be referred "once again". That's the reason I'm asking. Kind of a mixed bag now, of answers, between the Rheumatologist and Orthopedic. All I know is I'm not having any surgery and don't want any "drugs', just want to know what exercises I should do or not do, so I don't make it worse. Doing alot of therapeutic type, gentler workouts; at this point, it's all I feel like doing. Plan to change up the workouts I've been doing and scale things down, for good. Lots of dvds to purge!