Therapeutic ultrasound for relieving osteoarthritis symptoms

Dr. Peter Lloyd is a board-certified rheumatologist and founder of Seaside Rheumatology and Wellness Center. He has considerable experience and expertise in treating patients with osteoarthritis in Encinitas, California, and the surrounding area. Additionally, Dr. Lloyd has developed sub-specialty expertise in rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. This combination of experience is important; many forms of arthritis feature symptoms that overlap each other. So, there is the potential for conditions to be misdiagnosed. Accurate diagnoses inform effective treatment that eases pain and enhances function and mobility.

Generally characterized as a wear-and-tear disease, osteoarthritis is detected through a variety of means. Ultrasound treatment may be recommended, possibly alongside other therapies such as medications and physical measures. Surgical intervention is used as a last resort option for our patients due to the inherent risks and invasive nature of such procedures. 

Therapeutic ultrasound 

Many people may be intimately familiar with ultrasound technology as a diagnostic tool; however, there are also applications for ultrasound as a therapy. Rheumatologists like Dr. Peter Lloyd may use the energy and vibrations produced by sound waves to ease pain and support improved mobility in the affected joints. Ultrasound may also generate therapeutic heat. The vibrations usually occur at such high frequencies that therapeutic ultrasound is generally well tolerated. Patients should not be able to feel the heat, which is also well-controlled and managed throughout by our specialist, Dr. Lloyd. For enhanced comfort, he may also apply soothing topicals to the ultrasound wand or applicator and the skin. Such preparation also aids in comfort when the energy is administered to a particularly tender area. 

Are you a candidate for therapeutic ultrasound? 

Dr. Lloyd will not know the appropriate treatment options for you until he examines your medical history and conducts a thorough physical examination. Osteoarthritis manifests as pain in the joints, stiffness, swelling, creaky or cracking, noisy joints with movement, and a limited range of motion. Dr. Lloyd confirms that osteoarthritis is to blame for pain and functional problems by using advanced diagnostic tools, such as x-rays and imaging. These technologies can also provide a great deal of insight into the nature and extent of the disease. Weight loss, exercise, physical therapy, joint injections, and other forms of drug therapy may be recommended in lieu of or in addition to ultrasound treatment. 

We at Seaside Rheumatology and Wellness Center are lifelong learners. Our team remains on the cutting edge of clinically-proven and safe treatments that really address the source of pain and provide lasting comfort, pain relief, functionality, and health to the joints and affected tissues. Call 760-509-2429 to schedule your examination with Dr. Lloyd. This is the first step in effective treatment that builds upon the latest rheumatology research and technologies. 

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