<p>I will soon be seeing a hand specialist due to pain in finger joints (orthopedist). Family history of arthritis and apparently the tradition carries on. I have some swelling and “bending” of a couple of fingers. I would appreciate any ideas for how to make the most of the appointment. Also wonder how the differing expertise of orthopedists and rheumatologists would be relevant in this case. Any suggestions or experiences to share? Thanks.</p>
<p>Apparently their can be surgical fixes for some areas, but if you wait too long, then they no longer recommend the intervention. My mother waited too long and her thumbs are barely usable, the hand Doc said she would likely have very little use back after a surgery. If there are areas to watch, you might ask for some specific guidelines as to when to come back so you don’t wait too long.</p>
<p>If this is due to rheumatoid arthritis, you really want to see a rheumatologist. An orthopedist can help if/when the joints are far gone, with surgery and other treatments, but the rheumatologist will monitor and treat the underlying disease. Meds such as Enbrel, Humera, and so forth can significantly help slow or stop the progression.</p>
<p>Thanks for the information. My mother also waited too long, somemom. Losing my ability to type particularly concerns me, as does maintaining independence looking ahead. I am trying to be pro-active about this. </p>
<p>Is either specialty preferable in terms of determining diagnosis? How is the type of arthritis determined? Interesting about medications slowing progression. </p>
<p>I see the likelihood of several cost/benefit analysis ahead. I appreciate hearing from people who are more familiar with this.</p>
<p>I am a big fan of physical therapy. After meeting with the doctor, ask for a referral. You will get a hand massage and exercises to help improve or sustain your range of motion. I have issues with one foot and have 4-6 sessions every year to loosen it up.</p>
<p>My H has psoriatic arthritis. He found a rheumatologist was much more helpful than the orthopedic surgeon.</p>
<p>My sister will be going in next month to have surgery to straighten her little finger. She won’t regain use of the finger, but it will look better.</p>
<p>Thanks for all of these ideas. It seems a rheumatologist is in my future. I am also interested in seeing how PT might be part of the picture. </p>
<p>Good luck to your sister, danceclass.</p>
<p>Go to the hand specialist. Get a diagnosis. Then you see if you need a rheumatologist or not. </p>
<p>I’ve done this. Or rather I’m doing this because it doesn’t go away. </p>
<p>If it’s osteo, they can do some shaping of the calcification. They can also give you cortisone, though the advice is to avoid if possible because the shots lose effectiveness with repetition. You’ll also get a scrip for something like piroxicam or meloxicam, if you don’t have that already. If you don’t take that now, you may find it’s really effective. Works fairly well for me but caused duodenal ulcers in someone I know very well. The latter is easier on the stomach per studies but those are based on constant use. You can figure out how much you can tolerate without side effects.</p>
<p>A rheumatologist will diagnose you based on your symptoms and based on some blood tests, although the blood tests are not definitive.</p>
<p>Learned a lot at the appointment. Clinical exam seemed more indicative of injury than arthritis and X-ray confirmed that. No idea how I hurt it, which Dr. said was common for this type of injury. It will heal within a couple of months. Extra bonus: X-ray did indicate arthritis and curving of fingers deemed within the routine realm. I told Dr I was probably his happiest patient of the day. So easy to make assumptions…</p>
<p>Thanks for all the input- though I lucked out for now the info is likely to be relevant later.</p>