Conditions we treat include:

Ankylosing Spondylitis
Bursitis and Tendonitis
Fibromyalgia
Gout
Joint Pain
Osteoarthritis
Osteoporosis
Pseudogout
Psoriatic Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Scleroderma
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Vasculitis

Scleroderma

Scleroderma is a rare autoimmune disease in which the body attacks itself and causes thickening of the skin and connective tissue. Contrary to most autoimmune diseases there is no inflammation. It is more common in women than men and the cause is unknown. There are two forms: limited scleroderma and diffuse scleroderma. The limited form can cause a host of symptoms referred to as "Crest". These include calcium deposits in the skin (C), blue discoloration of the fingers known as Raynaud’s (R), difficulty swallowing or esophageal dysmotility (E), tapering of the fingertips known as sclerodactly (S), and broken blood vessels on the skin known as telangectasias (T). The diffuse form usually involves a greater amount of skin thickening and may cause kidney and lung disease in later stages.

Diagnosis is made by assessing the symptoms along with physical exam findings. Blood tests are also used and best interpreted by a rheumatologist. Treatment is aimed at relieving the symptoms as there is no cure. Patients with either form of scleroderma should be monitored by their rheumatologist regularly so that the late complications of this disease may be identified and treated.

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