Loading Page
Dr. Michael Ding, MD is a pain medicine specialist in Chevy Chase, MD specializing in pain medicine and physiatry (physical medicine & rehabilitation). He graduated from Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University in 2020 and has 6 years of experience. Dr. Michael Ding, MD is affiliated with MedStar Health.
MedStar Health
Joint Injections
A joint is any area of the body where two bones connect. Due to injury or disease, the space between the two bones can sometimes become swollen and inflamed, which leads to pain and a loss of mobility. Injection and aspiration are two tools that physicians use to treat joint pain locally without needing to perform surgery.
Both injection and aspiration are techniques that involve inserting a needle connected to a syringe directly into the joint. Aspiration involves the removal of excess fluid, and injection is the placement of medication directly into the joint space via the needle. Both procedures may be performed at the same time. In both cases a local anesthetic may be used, the skin will be cleaned and disinfected, and then the needle will be inserted. In some cases, especially if the injection or aspiration is in a large and deep joint such as the hip or spine, ultrasound may be used to guide the needle to the exact location desired.
In some cases, irritation to the joint can cause fluid to build up so significantly that the joint hurts and can no longer move well. Aspiration removes some of the excess fluid and relieves the pressure. In addition, aspiration can be used to provide a sample of joint fluid if it needs to be examined microscopically for the presence of white blood cells, bacteria, or crystal formations.
Certain injuries and diseases that affect joints are inflammatory in nature, such as rheumatoid arthritis, tendonitis or gout. These diseases may be helped by the local injection of anti-inflammatory medications directly into the affected joint. In this case, corticosteroids such as methylprednisone are usually used. Relief from the pain may be felt right away and may last for weeks or even months.
In some cases, such as with osteoarthritis, the cartilage buffer between the two bones wears down and pain comes from bones rubbing against each other. In this case, injection of a lubricating agent such as hyaluronic acid may be beneficial. It provides a slippery cushion between the bones to relieve pain that can last for months.
Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injury medicine is a branch of medicine that treats damage to the spinal cord from an injury or a nontraumatic myelopathy, which is any disorder that affects the spinal area. The spinal cord is a section of nerve tissue protected by the vertebrae (spinal bones). Trauma to the spinal cord, typically caused by compression or bent vertebrae, prevents the body and brain from communicating. This can result in pain, loss of sensation, and impaired physical function and movement. Acute spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are a leading cause of permanent disability. Spinal cord injuries may develop from accidents or myelopathies, disorders that provoke spinal compression. Traumatic incidents such as falls, sports injuries, vehicle accidents, and bullet or stab wounds can cause an acute spinal cord injury.
Spinal cord injury medicine seeks to stabilize the spine and to alleviate the symptoms of spine damage. Practitioners of spinal cord injury medicine are called spinal cord injury specialists. Spinal cord injury medicine is an interdisciplinary field, meaning physicians of various specialties may be trained to treat spinal cord injuries.
Damage to the spinal cord may initially be diagnosed through X-ray, MRI, or CT scans. Patients can also undergo spinal exams to evaluate their sensory ability and strength. Injuries to the spinal cord can be complete (no feeling or sensation) or incomplete (some feeling or sensation remains). Conditions spinal cord injury medicine specialists may treat include:
Treatment for spinal cord injuries often involves surgery, either directly after an injury occurs or at a later date. Surgery for spine injuries is intended to ease spinal compression and stabilize the spine. Surgical procedures can involve shifting vertebrae, removing bone, or altering spinal placement with implantable devices. Patients with significant spinal trauma may require urgent surgical intervention.
Surgical treatments can be complemented by rehabilitative physical therapy to improve mobility. Spinal cord injury specialists also treat complications arising from a spinal injury, such as respiratory or bladder conditions. Some patients with spinal cord injuries may require lifelong treatment. Spinal cord injury specialists aim to help these patients successfully adjust and lead an improved quality of life. An emerging treatment for spinal cord injuries is neural prosthetics, which replicate patients' lost nerve function. Neural prostheses may be used as artificial body parts or assistive devices that patients may cognitively control. Other assistive devices include wheelchairs and scooters.
Spinal cord injury specialists may collaborate with physical therapists, radiologists, neurologists, urologists, and orthopedists.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)
TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint, the little round joint that lies in front of the ear between the temporal bone ( the cheek bone) and the mandible (the lower jaw.) Often people use the acronym 'TMJ' to refer to temporomandibular joint dysfunction or disorder - that is, pain and stiffness in this joint and the muscles around it.
TMJ can cause a wide variety of symptoms related to the movement of the jaw. They can include earaches, headaches, an inability to open the mouth very far, painful clicking or popping noises when chewing or talking, and stiffness or pain in the jaw, face, or neck. Sometimes TMJ symptoms seem to go in cycles, getting better or going away for a while only to come back again. Symptoms can be mild and not very bothersome, or so persistent and painful as to be almost debilitating.
There can be many potential causes of TMJ. An injury or trauma to the jaw, arthritis, or grinding the teeth can all contribute to TMJ. The temporomandibular joint contains a small disc of cartilage that allows it to move smoothly, and this disc can become dislocated or torn. Sometimes the cause is unknown. There are no standard tests for TMJ, and it can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
Mild cases of TMJ may benefit from self-care such as eating soft foods, practicing stress management techniques, and applying ice packs to the jaw. NSAIDS, such as ibuprofen, can be purchased without a prescription and work to reduce pain and inflammation. Some dentists and occupational therapists can suggest stretching techniques for the jaw which may help relieve stiffness. More serious cases may require a form of splinting called a stabilization splint or bite plate, which helps reduce pressure on the joint. Extreme cases may benefit from arthroscopic surgery on the joint.
Dr. Michael Ding, MD graduated from Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University in 2020. He completed residency at Burke Rehabilitation Hospital/Weill Medical Colleg. He is certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and has a state license in Maryland.
Medical School: Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University (2020)
Residency: Burke Rehabilitation Hospital/Weill Medical Colleg (2024)
Board Certification: American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Licensed In: Maryland
Dr. Michael Ding, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Michael Ding, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: MultiPlan, Optimum Choice, Optima Health, MAMSI, Magellan Health Services, United Healthcare Choice Plus, United Healthcare Choice, First Health PPO, Blue Choice, Great-West Healthcare, Coventry, TRICARE Reserve Select, Anthem, Aetna Managed Choice POS, Beech Street PPO, Aetna HMO, Kaiser Permanente, CIGNA PPO, CIGNA EPO, Aetna Medicare PPO, Aetna Medicare PFFS, CIGNA Indemnity, AmeriHealth, AARP, Medicare Advantage, TriWest, Coventry National Network PPO, Highmark, Amerigroup, United Healthcare, Medicaid, Humana, Cigna, Sentara Health Plans, WellPoint, United Healthcare Community Plan (AmeriChoice), Humana Medicare Advantage PPO, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan, CIGNA PPO Plus, HealthyBlue PPO, Aetna Premier 200PD, MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice, CareFirst NASCO, M.D. IPA Preferred (POS), Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS), CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO, IH-PPO, TRICARE East Prime, DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans, Aetna Advantage 6350PD, MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families, CareFirst EPO, Optimum Choice Preferred (POS), OCI Direct (HMO), Medicare Direct, Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans, Aetna Open Choice (PPO), OA Plus, CareFirst Administrators, United Student Resources, IH-Network Only Plus, IH-POS, Aetna Classic 5000, Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA, CareFirst Community Health Plan of Maryland, Healthy Blue (HMO, POS), IH-POS Plus, Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice, Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA, CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan, Health Services for Children with Special Needs, Choice POS II, CareFirst Blue Card Program, Choice Fund PPO, IH-EPO Plus, Aetna VA Exchange, Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS), Aetna Better Health of Virginia, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced, Aetna Worker's Compensation Network, Options PPO Cardiac Global, Uniformed Services Family Health Plan, Aetna Advantage 5750, IH-Open HMO Option, HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO, Aetna Basic, CareFirst FEP Blue Focus, MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance, Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global, IH-Open EPO Plus, IH-Open POS Plus, Core Essential (HMO), Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO, Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network, MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global, CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO, Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS), IH-Open HMO, Aetna Advantage 6350, Erickson Advantage Plans, M.D. IPA (HMO), POS OA, Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund), Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS), IH-Open POS II, Aetna Classic 5000PD, Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO, CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP, Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice, Aetna Student Health Insurance, Private Health Care Systems (PPO), Choice POS, Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account, IH-Indemnity, CareFirst MedStar PPO, CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity, Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO), United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans, IH-HMO, IH-Open Network Only Plus, HumanaChoice PPO, CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO), Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO, Medicare FFS, Maryland Physicians Care MCO, Veterans Affairs Community Care Network, Advantra Platinum (PPO), Aetna Better Health of Maryland, BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage), Employee Health Plan, Choice POS II Open Access, Navigate, Police and Fire Clinic, Network OA, TRICARE East Select, TRICARE for Life East, CareFirst MedStar Select PPO and Aetna Classic 3500.
According to our sources, Dr. Michael Ding, MD accepts the following insurance providers:
Dr. Michael Ding, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.88 out of 5 stars based on 50 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Michael Ding, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Chevy Chase, MD.
Mr. Michael Ding has obtained a license to practice in Maryland.
