The Foot Doctor - Dr. Ronald Gmerek
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        • Osteomyelitis
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Rheumatoid Arthritis


Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term autoimmune disorder that primarily affects joints.  It typically results in warm, swollen, and painful joints.  Pain and stiffness often worsen following rest. Most commonly, the wrist and hands are involved, with the same joints typically involved on both sides of the body. The disease may also affect other parts of the body. This may result in a low red blood cell count, inflammation around the lungs, and inflammation around the heart. Fever and low energy may also be present. Often, symptoms come on gradually over weeks to months.

While the cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not clear, it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors.  The underlying mechanism involves the body's immune system attacking the joints.  This results in inflammation and thickening of the joint capsule.  It also affects the underlying bone and cartilage.  The diagnosis is made mostly on the basis of a person's signs and symptoms.  X-rays and laboratory testing may support a diagnosis or exclude other diseases with similar symptoms.  Other diseases that may present similarly include systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriatic arthritis, and fibromyalgia among others.
​
The goals of treatment are to reduce pain, decrease inflammation, and improve a person's overall functioning.  This may be helped by balancing rest and exercise, the use of splints and braces, or the use of assistive devices.  Pain medications, steroids, and NSAIDs are frequently used to help with symptoms.  Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), such  as  hydroxychloroquine  and methotrexate, may be used to try to slow the progression of disease.  Biological DMARDs may be used when disease does not respond to other treatments.  However, they may have a greater rate of adverse effects. Surgery to repair, replace, or fuse joints may help in certain situations. Most alternative medicine treatments are not supported by evidence

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1200 JEFFERSON ROAD
ROCHESTER, NY 14623
(585) 226-9340

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102 GENESEE STREET 
AVON, NY 14414

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The Foot Doctor - Dr. Ronald Gmerek
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  • About Us
    • Dr. Ronald Gmerek
    • Meet the Staff
    • Our Office
    • Patient Reviews
    • Blog
  • Services
    • Ingrown Toenail
    • Foot Pain >
      • Bunions
      • Hammer Toe
      • Heel Pain
      • Claw Toe
      • Arch Pain
      • Achilles Tendinitis
      • Heel Spurs
      • Mallet Toe
      • Metatarsalgia
      • Morton’s Neuroma
      • Foot Pain Management
      • Morton’s Toe
      • Plantar Fasciitis
      • Arthritis
    • Foot Health >
      • Diabetic Foot Care
      • Poor Foot Circulation
      • Geriatric Foot Care
      • Orthotics
      • Gout
      • Pediatric Foot Care
      • Osteoarthritis
      • Wound Care
    • Broken Bones and Injuries >
      • Achilles Tendon Rupture
      • Foot and Ankle Fracture Repair
      • Lisfranc Injury
      • Sprained Ankle
      • Stress Fractures
      • Turf Toe
      • Calcaneal Fractures
      • Toe and Forefoot Fractures
      • Pilon Fractures of the Ankle
      • Talus Fractures
    • Surgical Procedures >
      • Achilles Surgery
      • Arthritis Surgery
      • Cyst Removal
      • Flat Foot Correction
      • Heel Surgery
      • Metatarsal Surgery
      • Nerve Surgery (Neuroma)
    • Foot and Ankle Disorders >
      • Bone Disorders >
        • Osteomyelitis
        • Bone Deformities
        • Bone Tumors
      • Joint Disorders >
        • Charcot Foot
        • Osteoarthritis
        • Hallux Varus
        • Rheumatoid Arthritis
      • Nerve Disorders >
        • Entrapment Neuropathy
        • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
      • Skin Disorders >
        • Athlete's Foot
        • Callus and Corns
        • Fungal Nail Infections
        • Plantar Warts
    • Foot Deformities >
      • Clubfoot
      • Flatfoot
      • High Arch
  • Patient Resources
    • Patient Reviews
    • Patient Education Videos
    • Patient Forms
    • Insurance
    • Useful Links
  • New Patients
  • Contact Us
  • Office Locations
    • Henrietta Location
    • Avon Location
    • Geneseo Location