If you’re one of the 50 million adults who suffer from the joint pain and stiffness of arthritis, you want relief to move more freely and do daily activities without discomfort. Whether you have osteoarthritis, rheumatoid, or another variation of the disease, Dr. David Berkower can help you manage your pain and resume an optimum quality of life. Located in Pembroke, Florida, Dr. Berkower diagnoses and treats patients at Berkower Pain and Spine Rehabilitation. Call the office to make an appointment or use the convenient online booking agent.

request an appointment

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is not one single disease, but a collection of more than 100 diseases that cause joint degeneration. Although it’s more common among women and older adults, people of any age, gender, and race can develop it.

What are the symptoms of arthritis?

You may suspect arthritis is the cause of your joint pain. Your symptoms can range from mild to severe. They include:

  • Joint pain
  • Joint stiffness
  • Joint swelling
  • Decreased range of motion

The symptoms can become worse with time or be relatively consistent. Some people experience permanent changes to the way their joints look, such as developing bumps or knobs in their joints. Certain types of arthritis can also affect your internal organs, such as your heart and lungs, your skin and your eyes.

What are the types of arthritis?

Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, occurs when the cartilage that cushions the space between your bones wears down causing your joints to degenerate. Excessive weight, family history, age, and joint injuries predispose you to this type of arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis are examples of inflammatory arthritis. In rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system attacks healthy joints. Both have genetic and environmental causes, and require early, aggressive treatment.

Other forms of arthritis that Doctor Berkower diagnoses and treats include; infectious arthritis, caused by a virus or bacterium, and metabolic arthritis, which manifests as gout.

How is arthritis diagnosed?

Dr. Berkower reviews your symptoms and may do blood tests and imaging scans to determine the type of arthritis you have and to rule out other possible causes. Once you have a diagnosis, he can best help reduce your pain and improve your function.

How is arthritis treated?

Dr. Berkower’s goal is to reduce your levels of pain, improve your ability to function, and prevent your joints from degenerating any further. He provides a number of types of injections, including:

  • Intra-articular knee injections for pain at the knee
  • Wrist and hand injections to decrease inflammation
  • Intra-articular hip injections for pain at the hip
  • Glenohumeral joint injections containing steroids to reduce shoulder pain

Physical therapy, medications, and lifestyle changes are other methods used to help you manage your condition.