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Arthritis Specialist

Signature Footcare, PLLC

Rafael Tabari, DPM

Podiatrist located in North Corona, Queens, NY

Arthritis is inflammation of one or more of your joints. It can cause pain and stiffness in any joint in the body, and is common in the small joints of the foot and ankle. Although there is no cure for arthritis, there are many treatment options available to slow the progress of the disease and relieve symptoms. Just because arthritis is common, doesn’t mean you have to learn to live with arthritis discomfort. If you’re suffering from chronic pain and suspect you have arthritis, Dr. Tabari can help. His state-of-the-art Corina and Flushing, New York practices specializes in advanced diagnostic and treatment methods for people living with arthritis. Whether you have gout, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or another type of arthritis, you can get the relief you need, starting today by making an appointment to see Dr. Tabari.

Arthritis Q & A

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is inflammation of one or more of your joints. It can cause pain and stiffness in any joint in the body and is common in the small joints of the foot and ankle.  Although there is no cure for arthritis, there are many treatment options available to slow the progress of the disease and relieve symptoms.

Just because arthritis is common, doesn’t mean you have to learn to live with arthritis discomfort. If you’re suffering from chronic pain and suspect you have arthritis, Dr. Tabari can help. His state-of-the-art Corina and Flushing, New York practices specialize in advanced diagnostic and treatment methods for people living with arthritis. Whether you have gout, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or another type of arthritis, you can get the relief you need, starting today by making an appointment to see Dr. Tabari.

Why do I have arthritis?

The exact cause of your arthritis might be hard to pinpoint. As with many medical conditions, it could be hereditary. If you have a close relative with arthritis, it's possible that you may have it too. You may be prone to arthritis in a particular area if you’ve been through injuries.

For instance, if you broke your ankle and had repeated sprained ankles afterward, you're at a higher risk of developing arthritis in your ankle. You could also have arthritis if you:

  • Are older
  • Are overweight or obese
  • Have a certain type of infection
  • Have an autoimmune disease

How do I know if I have arthritis?

The only way to know for sure if you have arthritis is to come into the office for an exam and possibly get some X-rays. Some of the initial warning signs that you might have arthritis include:

  • Swelling and tenderness around your joints
  • Redness or warmth in your joints
  • Limping when you walk
  • Frequent stiffness or weakness
  • Loss of range of motion

If you experience any of these symptoms — or any joint pain in general — let Dr. Tabari know, so he can correctly diagnose your condition.

Which arthritis treatment is best?

Arthritis treatment often includes many different options. Your treatment plan may vary depending on your pain level and how well you progress. Typical arthritis treatments include:

  • Physical therapy
  • Cold laser therapy
  • Anti-inflammatory medications
  • Splinting or bracing
  • Nutrition counseling
  • Custom orthotic inserts

Depending on the cause of your arthritis, you could need specific medications that suppress your immune system. That's because an overactive immune system is sometimes a cause of certain types of arthritis.

Before your arthritis pain worsens, schedule an appointment with Dr. Tabari. You can book a session either online or over the phone.