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Dr. Sheetal Suresh Vora, MD is a pediatrician in Charlotte, NC specializing in general pediatrics and pediatric rheumatology. Dr. Sheetal Suresh Vora, MD is affiliated with Atrium Health.
1001 Blythe Boulevard Medical Center Plaza Suite 200
Charlotte, NC 28203
4501 Cameron Valley Parkway Suite 300
Charlotte, NC 28211
Joint Aspiration
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.
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is a condition caused by bacteria (borrelia burgdorferi) that are transmitted via infected ticks. Most cases of Lyme disease are found in the United States East Coast and parts of the Midwest. The three main vectors of transmission for Lyme disease are:
As background, ticks lay on the tops of grass and brush, clutching onto leaves with their legs and with their arms outstretched. This formation is called "questing" and allows ticks to quickly latch onto passers-by. Within two hours of biting a person's skin, the tick slowly begins to feed from the blood of its host, which can transmit the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. This tick activity generally occurs seasonally and tick bites mostly occur during the springtime.
After being infected, people with Lyme disease may develop symptoms like fever, exhaustion, headache, joint aches, and skin rash, usually three to thirty days after the tick bite. Lyme disease is characterized by a particular skin rash called erythema migrans, which is an enlarged red rash that starts at the site of the tick bite and expands outwards. The rash is a strong indicator that someone has developed or is at risk of developing Lyme disease.
In the following few months, symptoms may worsen and progress to include:
Most cases of Lyme disease dissipate over a few months. Lyme disease may be cured by a course of oral antibiotics, such as amoxicillin or doxycycline. Other treatments may include:
People can take action to prevent Lyme disease by exercising caution when in environments with ticks. Using insect repellant and wearing long socks and protecting clothing can help prevent tick bites. Outdoor enthusiasts should regularly perform "tick checks," evaluating their skin for small ticks, especially in areas where ticks may easily burrow. Showering within two hours of returning indoors also can reduce the likelihood of developing Lyme disease.
Replacement Arthroplasty (Joint Replacement)
Joint replacement, sometimes also called arthroplasty, is an option when a joint becomes severely damaged by disease or injury. The damaged cartilage of the joint is surgically removed, the ends of the bones in the joint are resurfaced, and a prosthetic is installed. Most prosthetic joints are made of a metal piece that fits into a plastic sleeve so that they glide smoothly. A joint replacement increases stability in the damaged area and decreases pain. The hip and knee are the two joints most commonly replaced, but joint replacement can also be performed on the ankle, shoulder, elbow and even fingers.
Although joint replacement is one of the safest and most reliable medical procedures available, it is still a major surgical procedure. All surgical procedures carry risks, such as infection or blood clots. For this reason, doctors try to help their patients avoid surgery for as long as they can. Taking arthritis medications, losing weight, avoiding high impact sports such as running, taking supplements such as glucosamine or chondroitin, or having joint injections may allow a patient to enjoy life without the need for surgery.
After having joint replacement surgery, patients can expect some pain the first few days as they recover. Physical therapy is an important part of recovery, and it can decrease complications and increase future mobility. As soon as possible, returning to low impact sports such as swimming, walking or biking can stretch and heal the new joint. A prosthetic joint can last 15 - 20 years and cannot be further damaged by degenerative diseases such as arthritis, so once it is done patients should be pain-free for many years.
She completed residency at University of California Affiliated Hospitals. She is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and has a state license in North Carolina.
Residency: University of California Affiliated Hospitals
Board Certification: American Board of Pediatrics
Licensed In: North Carolina
Dr. Sheetal Suresh Vora, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
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These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Sheetal Suresh Vora, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.
Pfizer Inc. |
$4,672
XELJANZ $4,551 |
EUCRISA $121 |
|
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Amgen Inc. |
$651
Enbrel $651 |
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AbbVie, Inc. |
$513
Humira $323 |
Lupron $93 |
$97 |
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation |
$360
Ilaris $360 |
||
Pharming Healthcare, Inc. |
$117
JOENJA $117 |
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Other |
$129
ACTHAR $96 |
ORENCIA $20 |
SABRIL $13 |
Food and Beverage | $2,284 |
---|---|
Honoraria | $2,220 |
Travel and Lodging | $988 |
Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program | $950 |
Dr. Sheetal Suresh Vora, MD has received 45 research payments totaling $183,890.
Dr. Sheetal Vora's specialties are pediatric rheumatology and general pediatrics. She practices in Charlotte, NC. Dr. Vora has obtained a license to practice in North Carolina.