Are you searching for The Woodlands TX arthritis doctor near me? With over 10 years of experience diagnosing and managing arthritis and its associated joint pain in The Woodlands area, Dr. Brionez is the arthritis doctor for you. If arthritis-related joint pain is impacting your ability to get through your day, book an appointment at our clinic in The Woodlands today! Call (281) 766-7886.
The Woodlands TX Arthritis Doctor Near Me
Advanced Rheumatology of Houston’s Dr. Brionez has helped hundreds of The Woodlands residents to transform their lives through joint pain management. Dr. Brionez has diagnosed and treated arthritis in its many forms for over a decade, and she believes you also deserve to live as pain-free as possible.
Don’t wait through another day of discomfort and pain. This chronic autoimmune disorder gets significantly worse with time. Avoid unnecessary chronic pain by calling your local arthritis expert today.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes great pain within a person’s joints. Different forms of arthritis achieve this in varying ways. Three forms Dr. Brionez commonly diagnoses at our clinic in The Woodlands include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis. These three forms are very similar in that they break down the flexible connective tissue in a person’s joints known as cartilage.
Two more unique forms Dr. Brionez treats, gout and spondyloarthritis, attack the joints in very different manners. Gout causes the growth of needle-like formations within joints, while spondyloarthritis targets the ligaments and tendons that help the joints to bend.
All five of these forms of arthritis can become debilitating if left untreated. They can lead to chronic pain and immobility. In some extreme cases, bones can begin to rub together, causing immense pain and the formation of bone chips called bone spurs.
Osteoarthritis
Also known as the degenerative joint disease, this form of arthritis causes stiffness and pain through the breakdown of cartilage. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis diagnosed in the US and is commonly treated by The Woodlands TX arthritis doctor near me.
This rheumatologic condition mainly targets a person’s knees, hips, back, neck, and fingers.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis, also known by the acronym RA, is most commonly found in women aged 30-50. It targets the smaller joints in a person’s hands or feet and causes pain through the breakdown of cartilage. This later leads to stiffness, tenderness, swelling, and pain in the affected joints.
RA can also cause symptoms in other parts of the body, including a lack of energy, dry mouth, and the formation of nodules or firm lumps around the elbows and hands.
Dr. Brionez is passionate about joint pain management. Therefore, Advanced Rheumatology of Houston is participating in a worldwide research study on slowing the progression of RA. For further information regarding the contRAst study, see our website or call our clinic in The Woodlands.
Psoriatic Arthritis
The third form of arthritis that affects a person’s joints through the breakdown of cartilage is psoriatic arthritis. This condition and its name are unique because of their connection to the skin condition psoriasis.
Up to 15% of individuals diagnosed with psoriasis will develop psoriatic arthritis.
Up to 40% of those with psoriatic arthritis will not respond to available treatments for their condition.
To help combat this statistic, Advanced Rheumatology of Houston is participating in the global KEEPsAKE study. This worldwide study aims to test the effectiveness of an experimental drug showing promise where many current medication options consistently fall short.
If you find yourself with the unresponsive 40%, see our website or call our clinic for further information regarding this study and its eligibility.
Gout
Much like rheumatoid arthritis, gout attacks the smaller joints in a person’s feet.
Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, however, gout does not cause pain by breaking down cartilage. Instead, gout causes the formation of tiny needle-like urate crystals with joints. White blood cells then attack these crystals causing the person intense pain.
Individuals with lower-functioning kidneys are most at risk for developing gout. This is because healthy kidneys will almost always filter out any excess uric acid, thereby preventing the formation of these crystals.
Spondyloarthritis – Ankylosing Spondylitis
Like gout, rheumatologic conditions within the spondyloarthritis family attack a person’s joints but do not break down cartilage. These forms of arthritis target the ligaments and tendons known as entheses instead.
The most common form of arthritis we treat within this family is ankylosing spondylitis. This condition targets entheses in a person’s back, is heavily genetic, and is most commonly seen in males in and around their early 20s.
Two other common forms of arthritis within the spondyloarthritis family are axial and peripheral spondyloarthritis. Like ankylosing spondylitis, axial spondyloarthritis mainly targets a person’s spine. However, this form also commons targets a person’s pelvic joints. Peripheral spondyloarthritis, on the other hand, most commonly affects a person’s arms or legs and may cause swelling as well as intense joint pain.
Contact Us
If our opportunities to participate in global research interest you, call our clinic at (281) 766-7886 with any questions you may have. Both research studies are currently available at our clinic in The Woodlands.
Is your joint pain taking over your life by making daily activities difficult? Dr. Brionez has years of experience managing arthritis in its many forms and can help you get your joint pain back under control. Contact your local arthritis expert today. Don’t wait through another day of discomfort and pain searching for The Woodlands TX arthritis doctor near me.
The Woodlands TX Fun Facts
- Firstly, the first high school in The Woodlands opened in 1976!
- Secondly, there are almost 150 parks in The Woodlands area!
- Lastly, the George Mitchell Nature Preserve has more than 12,000 protected acres of nature and wildlife.
- Learn further information regarding The Woodlands here!