Joint, Bone & Back Pain Care in St. Petersburg

An internist is often the first to diagnose and manage common forms of arthritis such as osteoarthritis and gout, with attention to pain control, activity, and how arthritis affects your overall health. For inflammatory and autoimmune arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, we start the evaluation and coordinate care with a rheumatologist.

Osteoporosis weakens bones and makes fractures more likely. Management includes bone density testing (a DEXA scan), enough calcium, vitamin D, and protein, weight-bearing and strength exercise, fall prevention, and, when fracture risk is high, medications that strengthen bone.

Yes. We look for the cause, which ranges from muscle strain to disc problems, arthritis, and spinal stenosis, and rule out other medical problems. Treatment usually starts without surgery: activity, physical therapy, and carefully chosen medications, with referral to a specialist when needed.

Usually not at first. Most new low back pain improves within a few weeks, and imaging early rarely changes treatment. Imaging is recommended when there are warning signs, such as leg weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, fever, a history of cancer, or pain that does not improve with treatment.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends bone density screening for all women 65 and older, and for younger postmenopausal women at increased risk of fracture. Men with risk factors, such as long-term steroid use or a previous fracture, should ask whether testing makes sense for them.

It depends on your other health conditions. Exercise and weight management help most types of arthritis. Topical anti-inflammatory gels work well for hands and knees with less risk than pills. Oral anti-inflammatory drugs can raise blood pressure and affect the kidneys and stomach, so check with us before taking them regularly.