Whether it’s acute (sudden and intense) or chronic (long-term and ongoing), joint pain can affect your daily activities. Pete Lerza, NP, is a family nurse practitioner in Cambridge, Maryland, who provides comprehensive care for joint pain, including pain from unexpected injuries and chronic conditions. Call the office today or schedule an in-office or telemedicine appointment online for expert joint pain care from a practitioner who takes a holistic and integrative approach.
Joint pain is common and can affect any joint in your body. Joints form the connection between two or more bones and play a significant role in your body’s mobility, supporting your ability to stand, walk, climb, and write. Joint pain makes it hard for you to manage your daily life.
Pete is a skilled and experienced nurse practitioner who cares for patients experiencing acute or chronic joint pain. His goal is to ease your discomfort so you can return to doing the things you enjoy.
You can develop joint pain from an injury or underlying condition. Common causes of joint pain include:
Many people with chronic joint pain have a degenerative form of arthritis called osteoarthritis. This joint pain is caused by the gradual wearing away of the cartilage that cushions the bones in a joint.
You might have osteoarthritis if you have ongoing knee, hip, or shoulder pain. Osteoarthritis gradually worsens and is a leading cause of disability. Taking steps to manage joint pain brought on by osteoarthritis can delay, even prevent, the joint damage that leads to disability.
You can expect a patient-centered exam at your joint pain consultation. Pete takes a holistic approach to care, focusing on your whole health, not just your pain.
He reviews your symptoms and the activities that make them worse. He asks about your daily routine and medical history and completes a physical exam. He might request diagnostic tests like blood work (infection) or X-rays (injury or arthritis) to confirm or rule out the cause of your joint pain.
Pete customizes your joint pain treatment based on the cause of your pain, how severe it is, and your medical history. Your joint pain treatment can include:
Pete works closely with you, adjusting your treatment as needed to reduce your joint pain and improve your quality of life. When medical intervention fails to provide relief from your joint pain, Pete can refer you to an orthopedic surgeon.
Many people visit their health care provider when they have joint pain. Don’t delay. Call the office of Pete Lerza, NP, today or schedule your appointment online.