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PAMF Inflammatory Arthritis Care

If you suffer pain, stiffness or deformity caused by crystal formation or autoimmune disorders in your joints, muscles or connective tissue, we can help. Rheumatologists at Palo Alto Medical Foundation have the specialized training and expertise to diagnose your disease and determine the most effective treatments.

Elbow arthritis pain

Connect with a Rheumatologist

Get started on the road to wellness.

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Inflammatory Arthritis Care within the Sutter Health network

The Sutter Health network has doctors and services in more than 100 California cities.

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    Care for Inflammatory Arthritis

    If you're struggling with a known or suspected inflammatory arthritis disorder, visit a rheumatologist at Palo Alto Medical Foundation to get started on the road to better health. Rheumatology is the medical study of rheumatic (painful or arthritic joints) diseases. A sub-specialty of internal medicine, rheumatology focuses on identifying and treating problems affecting joints and connective and soft tissues. Sutter care centers offer help for numerous inflammatory arthritis conditions, including:

    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Lupus
    • CPPD (Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate) 
    • Gout
    • Psoriatic Arthritis

    Seeing your primary care doctor is the first best step to help you decide which specialist will provide you the most benefit. Your specialist will talk to you about your health history, listen to your concerns and do a physical exam to confirm your diagnosis. She or he may also conduct diagnostic tests, such as blood work, MRIs and ultrasounds, to rule out other conditions.  

    Once you have a diagnosis, you and your doctor will discuss all possible treatment options and determine the best one for your situation. Often inflammatory arthritis or autoimmune disease care becomes chronic disease management. At Palo Alto Medical Foundation, we develop a team to help you manage your health for the long term. If needed, you'll receive regular check-ups and monitoring to ensure the effectiveness of your treatment. When medication is part of your arthritis treatment, we will also develop a medication schedule that works for you.

    Palo Alto Medical Foundation offers a wide range of medications that can greatly improve autoimmune conditions. These include:

    • Simple pain management — This can include acetaminophen and anti-inflammatory medicine such as ibuprofen or naproxen. We can guide you as to the appropriateness of anti-inflammatory treatment in addition to any other specific treatment.
    • Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) — These medications suppress overactive immune systems caused by autoimmune disorders. They help arthritic joints by decreasing pain and inflammation, preserving function and reducing damage.
    • Biologics — This is a type of disease modifying drug that targets specific parts of the immune system associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Talk to your doctor to see if this is right for you.
    • Joint Injections — Your physician can inject anti-inflammatory drugs, such as corticosteroids, or hyaluronic acid into the joint to reduce inflammation and pain.
    • Outpatient Infusion Centers — When infusion therapy is necessary, we have outpatient infusion centers managed by highly trained nurses and physicians that improve patient convenience and safety and reduce overall cost of care.
    • Nutrition and Dietary Therapy — Sutter Health network doctors provide nutritional advice or refer you to a registered dietician or nutritionist for a consultation or class.

    With all medications, your rheumatologist will provide ongoing medication management, including physical exams to check for swelling or pain, and blood tests to detect any side effects and toxicities.

    In some cases your doctor may recommend physical therapy to help reduce pain and preserve function of joints and muscles. Your doctor can help connect you with a physical therapist with the right expertise.

    Helpful Resources

    Asian couple lifting weights

    Tips to Ease Arthritis Pain

    Inflammatory arthritis disorders often require lifelong medical care by a rheumatologist or other specialist. Learn what helps to reduce pain and inflammation and preserve mobility.

    Pain Research

    Sutter Health Pain Research
    In medicine, pain relates to the perception of a sensation that hurts. Only the person who is experiencing the pain can describe it properly. Research seeks to understand all types of pain, how to stop it or how to lessen it to improve a person’s quality of life.

    Sutter Health Pain Research Sutter Health Pain Research

    Doctors at Palo Alto Medical Foundation

    The following doctors are part of the Sutter Health network. Learn about the doctors on this site.
    Ernesto Zatarain-Rios, M.D.

    Ernesto Zatarain-Rios, M.D.

    • Rheumatology

    Katherine Wu, M.D.

    Katherine Wu, M.D.

    • Rheumatology

    Robert Su, M.D.

    Robert Su, M.D.

    • Rheumatology

    Eric M. Seronick, D.O., RhMSUS

    Eric M. Seronick, D.O., RhMSUS

    • Rheumatology

    Richard Seto, M.D.

    Richard Seto, M.D.

    • Rheumatology

    C. Susana Kuzis, M.D.

    C. Susana Kuzis, M.D.

    • Rheumatology

    Jennifer A. Johnson, M.D.

    Jennifer A. Johnson, M.D.

    • Rheumatology

    Brent D. Culver, M.D.

    Brent D. Culver, M.D.

    • Rheumatology

    Ranjana Sood, M.D.

    Ranjana Sood, M.D.

    • Rheumatology

    View All Related Doctors

    Services Near You

    Palo Alto Center

    Palo Alto Center

    795 El Camino Real

    Palo Alto, CA 94301

    (650) 321-4121

    Mountain View Center

    Mountain View Center

    701 East El Camino Real

    Mountain View, CA 94040

    (650) 934-7000

    Dublin Center

    Dublin Center

    4050 Dublin Blvd.

    Dublin, CA 94568-3112

    (925) 875-6100

    Fremont Center

    Fremont Center

    3200 Kearney Street

    Fremont, CA 94538

    (510) 490-1222

    Burlingame Center

    Burlingame Center

    1501 Trousdale Drive

    Building B

    Burlingame, CA 94010

    Santa Cruz Allergy

    Santa Cruz Allergy

    3035 North Main Street

    Soquel, CA 95073

    (831) 423-4111

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