What type of Dr to use?
 

If you think you may have arthritis or bursitis, what type of Dr can determine what you have??

Internal medicine and orthopedic dr.

Probably internal medicine. If complicated, rheumatologist. If injury, orthopedist

In my experience, most internists will almost immediately refer you to a rheumatologist, orthopedist, or me (if it involves the foot/ankle)...

Not I, unless it was beyond my expertise or required a procedure. And that would apply to my whole group in NY

My internal practitioner (who is also my PCP) ordered the tests and diagnosed my bursitis and osteoporosis. I don't see why you'd need a specialist for that.

How did they "treat" your bursitis?

Well, in many cases, bursitis does require a procedure... So there's that...

Yes, but the procedure is to simply drain the fluid. I must have drained 100 olecranon bursas as well as patellar effusions over the years, and most of the remaining ones resolve with conservative treatment. I don't think most internists would have a problem doing that.

Well, all the ones in my building send the ones on the foot/ankle to me... Along with any and all heel pain...

Must be my boyish good looks and charming personality... :1rotfl::icon_wink:

Must be.

Personally, I don't do feet :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:, so I'll send you mine as well.

A shot in the shoulder

Just got through a bout of severe bursitis in hip. Diagnosed via thorough exam and xrays. Treated with 6 day prednisone medication - felt considerable pain relief in 48 hours and almost 100% relief two weeks later. Discuss possible side effects of prednisone with your Dr.

Rheumatologist

I used Dr Naproxen Sodium who referred me to Dr Bourbon (pronounced bore bone) . All good now

Physicians have specialities!
 

The best MD for treating arthritis, or any pains like bursitis would be a Rheumatologist!
Not many around here. All are very busy…. But they can really improve your quality of life! May require a referral from you GP!

There's osteo-arthritis---which most of us get as we age and it's from the use (or over-use) of our bodies throughout life. NOT to be confused with rheumatoid arthritis (many people do confuse the two), which is systemic as well as an autoimmune disease and affects the sheathing around the joints of the body. An internal medicine dr. can treat the issue the OP asked about but if beyond him/her, they will refer you out. My RA was diagnosed via lab tests and x-rays by an OD, missed by 3 other practioners, one including a neurologist. I was then referred out to a rheumatologist. Someone on this thread said there aren't many in our area and they were correct plus they're not all the same with their treatments and more. I've seen six! Some don't listen and push pills (which may or may not be needed)....but this is a whole other conversation. Oh...I might add that you can have both osteo-arthritis as well as the rheumatoid variety. The combo makes for a more "interesting" life.

Very good post and absolutely correct. Kudos

Can you recommend a good one

Your primary doc will refer you to the appropriate specialist

When I first was diagnosed he gave me a steroid shot in my hip, where it hurt the most. I felt relief within a few minutes, right after I passed out from a vagal nerve response. The relief lasted around 5 months, and I chose not to ask for another shot. So I just live with it, and do strength training exercise to support the muscle. And I can't stand still for any length of time, or it gets stiff. I have to either move, or sit down.

I also apply Voltaren when I wake up and it's especially bad that morning. Is all of this treating the bursitis, or the osteoporosis? I have no idea. All I know is that it helps, and that's good enough for me.

My uncle used to soak raisens in bourbon. Said it helped his arthritis. LOL. As I get older I find myself doing equally odd things.

Leave the raisins
Take the bourbon

(yes, I did "borrow" that from The Godfather):1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

It would be only to treat the bursitis and perhaps osteoarthritis. It would do nothing to treat osteopenia/osteoporosis

You best not be leaving the cannoli behind!

Rheumatologist

Type of Doctor
 

A rheumatologist can determine what type of arthritis or bursitis you have. Dr. Sullivan of the Villages Health is my doctor and I think she is excellent.

Orthopedic or a Sports Medicine Dr