Main Line Rheumatology Becomes Main Line Rheumatology & Osteoporosis

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 28, 2019 Wynnewood, PA… Gary V. Gordon, MD, FACP, FACR, owner of Main Line Rheumatology practice, and chief of Rheumatology, Lankenau Medical Center, announces that Main Line Rheumatology is now called, Main Line Rheumatology & Osteoporosis.

Only our name has changed! The practice of Main Line Rheumatology & Osteoporosis is still independently owned, and its doctors, staff and office locations at Lankenau Medical Center, and Main Line Health Center, in Broomall remain the same.

Why the practice name change? Dr. Gary Gordon said, “Over the last number of years, we have seen a dramatic rise in the number of osteoporosis patients we see, and patients with osteopenia or other fracture risks. Osteoporosis has become our rheumatology practice’s largest growing sub-medical specialty. Adding “osteoporosis” to Main Line Rheumatology, creates a more defining description of our practice, today.”
Osteoporosis is a common rheumatology disease.

According to recent statistics from the National Osteoporosis Foundation, osteoporosis is responsible for an estimated two million broken bones per year, yet nearly 80 percent of older Americans who suffer bone breaks are not tested or treated for osteoporosis. Approximately 10 million Americans have osteoporosis and another 44 million have low bone density, placing them at increased risk. One in two women, and up to one in four men over age 50, will break a bone due to osteoporosis.

Dr. Gordon added, “Our doctors and staff are committed to treating our osteoporosis patients. I encourage individuals who have noticeable symptoms (i.e. back pain, fractured or collapsed vertebra, loss of height over time, stooped posture, or a bone that breaks much more easily than expected) to make an appointment with a rheumatologist for diagnosis. Pro-active testing and treatment could stave off fractures, or full-blown disease.”

 

 

It’s Important to Get The Right Diagnosis and Care for Painful Autoimmune Conditions

Many rheumatologic diseases are difficult to sort out in the beginning. New York Times medical writer, Jane Brody, describes polymyalgia, an inflammatory disease affecting muscles and connective tissue in the shoulder/pelvic region, and the overlapping and more serious temporal or giant cell arteritis, involving blood vessels to the scalp and the eyes with potential risk of blindness. Talk to your primary care physician and consider seeing a rheumatologist if you have these symptoms.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/19/well/live/arteritis-autoimmune-conditions.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fwell&action=click&contentCollection=well%C2%AEion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront

 

#MainLineRheumatology  #inflammatorydisease #arteritis #rheumatologist

Living with RA. Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way!

Here are the hands of an 83-year-old patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Dr. Gary Gordon says that RA does not have to be as debilitating a condition, as you might think. Watch what this patient does with this telephone book; it’s a true testament to motivation and RA treatment!

Video of 83-year-old patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Men Get Osteoporosis, Too!

Main Line Rheumatology sees many patients with osteoporosis. At least 95% are women, yet statistics looking at people over age 65, find the ratio closer to 50%. Why is that? Most women see their gynecologist for a yearly exam, and those doctors are very good about ordering DEXA (bone density) scans. There is no equivalent for men! Perhaps primary care physicians and urologists should be cautioned that men are at risk for osteoporosis as their testosterone levels fall, just the same as estrogen plummets in women after menopause. Read this informative column by Jane E. Brodey, Personal Health columunist for the New York Times, since 1976.

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/04/well/live/men-get-osteoporosis-too.html?searchResultPosition=2

Philadelphia TOP DOCTORS 2019 Winners and Still Champions! 

CONGRATULATIONS! Philadelphia magazine awards Gary V. Gordon, MD, FACP, FACR and Thomas Harder, MD, Main Line Rheumatology, TOP DOCTORS 2019!

Main Line Rheumatology has offices at Lankenau Medical Center and Main Line Health Center, in Broomall. In addition to Dr. Gordon and Dr. Harder, our doctors, Amy Lundholm D.O. and Hyon Ju Park, MD, are both board certified in rheumatology and internal medicine. Call 610-896-8400 for an appointment. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

mainlinerheumatology rheumatology philadelphiamagazine topdoctors2019 #drgaryvgordon garyvgordonmd thomashardermd winners

Your Doctor is Your Partner in Good Health!

“You have effectively given me my life and hope back, and for that I will be immensely and eternally grateful.” – A.B.

When we see a patient who is not feeling well, we listen to them very carefully, discuss, diagnose their condition, and together as “partners”, choose treatment options. Dialogue is important to achieve the best outcome.

Cheryl Wieczeroek, CRNP, MSN, is Nominated for The Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals (ARHP) Master Education Award

Main Line Rheumatology is very proud to announce that Cheryl Wieczeroek, CRNP, MSN, has been nominated for the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals (ARHP) Master Education Award. Cheryl is a dedicated health team member at Main Line Rheumatology, and an asset to our practice and patients.

The Problem with TV Drug Commercials

TV commercials about medication and risks can be very confusing.

By Gary V. Gordon, MD, FACP, FACR

Every day when we watch television, we’re bombarded with commercials for all kinds of medications. As a rheumatologist, I have great concern when I see medication commercials that patients take for psoriatic or rheumatoid arthritis.  We are frightened by the lengthy list of potentially terrible side effects from taking medications for psoriatic arthritis.  I often think anyone in their right mind would not take any advertised medications where death, or some serious or lingering infection could be the outcome. Exchange one bad problem for another?  No doubt, the pharmaceutical companies have done marketing studies that show TV drug advertising increases the rise in drug sales, with the bottom line – “if you advertise, they will come.” After watching these ads, some patients will run right to their doctor and ask, “Why are you not prescribing these drugs for me?” or in some cases, “Why are you?”

I think most physicians probably would say “No” to television drug commercials. There are frequently mixed messages with the commercials’ optics, and narrative. Some medication information can really frighten or confuse viewers, scaring them away from taking medications which might be really helpful in their treatment. At the end of these commercials, there is the rapidly announced list of terrible, potential drug side effects but in reality, most of them are extremely unlikely.  For example, the biologic drugs, Humira, Enbrel and Remicade, as well as the newer medications such as Xeljanz, can, in theory, cause viral hepatitis or tuberculosis.  However, of the hundreds of patients I have treated with these types of drugs, I have yet to see one case of tuberculosis or hepatitis.  Why are these potential side effects listed?  The listing is a Federal Drug Administration (FDA) mandate, and it is hard to argue with the FDA that’s just trying to protect the public. However, it is difficult for somebody watching TV drug commercials to know the likelihood of these possible side effects.  If the consequence of untreated rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis is that a patient may be crippled and unable to work, a small 3% chance of infection may be a worthwhile risk. Medical providers are risk averse; we want patients as healthy as possible, and living a good, quality of life! But an everyday reality is when you get out of bed, you could be exposed to a potential hazard; driving your car to run an errand, getting on a train or plane, or even just walking to the mailbox. Medical treatment with medications is also about weighing the risks against the benefits. With professional medical guidance, we all aim for the right decision.  Having a complete and honest discussion with your rheumatologist about the benefits and risks of your prescribed medicines, is the reasonable approach. 

As far as these TV drug commercials, next time just hit the MUTE button on your remote control!