Rheumatology
Dr. Mitchell treats established rheumatologic diseases. Here you’ll find an overview of the most common conditions he treats.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the joints, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness. It can also affect other organs. Treatment helps reduce inflammation, slow disease progression, and protect joint function.
Lupus (SLE)
Lupus is an autoimmune condition that can affect many parts of the body, including joints, skin, kidneys, and the heart. Care focuses on controlling inflammation, preventing flares, and protecting organs with medications and lifestyle support.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that causes widespread muscle discomfort, fatigue, sleep problems, and difficulty concentrating (“brain fog”). Treatment includes exercise, stress management, and medications that improve sleep and ease pain.
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)
PMR causes stiffness and aching in the shoulders, neck, and hips, often worse in the morning. It primarily affects adults over 50. Low-dose corticosteroids usually bring quick relief and help restore mobility.
Sjögren’s Disease
Sjögren’s disease is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks its moisture-producing glands, leading to dry eyes, dry mouth, and sometimes joint pain or fatigue. Treatment may include artificial tears, saliva substitutes, and immune-modifying medications.
Psoriasis & Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriasis causes red, scaly skin patches, while psoriatic arthritis also affects the joints, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling. Treatment focuses on reducing inflammation, protecting joints, and managing skin symptoms with specialized medications.
Ankylosing Spondylitis & Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis
These conditions cause inflammation in the spine and sacroiliac joints, leading to back pain, stiffness, and reduced flexibility. Over time, ankylosing spondylitis can cause fusion of parts of the spine. Treatment includes anti-inflammatories, biologics, and regular exercise.
Myositis & Scleroderma
Myositis: muscle inflammation that causes weakness and movement difficulties. Scleroderma: a rare condition that hardens the skin and connective tissues and may affect internal organs. Treatment often includes medications to suppress the immune system and physical therapy.
Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD)
MCTD is an autoimmune condition with overlapping features of lupus, scleroderma, and polymyositis. Symptoms may include joint pain, muscle weakness, skin changes, and fatigue. Care focuses on controlling inflammation and managing symptoms.
Gout & Pseudogout
Gout is caused by uric acid crystals building up in joints, leading to sudden, severe pain, often in the big toe. Pseudogout is similar but caused by calcium crystals. Treatment involves medications for flare-ups and long-term prevention strategies.
Osteoarthritis (OA)
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, caused by wear-and-tear of cartilage. It leads to joint pain, stiffness, and decreased flexibility, especially in the knees, hips, and hands. Treatment may include exercise, weight management, physical therapy, medications, and sometimes joint injections or surgery. Unfortunately, some patient’s conditions are incomplete in presentation and they may have been told “your disease doesn’t have a name today” or are classified with “undifferentiated connective tissue disease.” Common concerns by patients include Joint or muscle pain and stiffness Low energy, limited cognitive function Feeling like they have the flu often Dry eyes, dry mouth Digestive concerns and urinary problems Positive ANA, other antibodies and inflammatory markers We make sure to approach these patient’s sensitively for “seronegative” autoimmune conditions and carefully looking at comorbidity, often providing treatment where other rheumatology specialists may not.