This list recognizes female Castle Connolly Top Doctors who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, expertise and dedication in their respective fields. In addition to meeting the requirements to be selected as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor, these doctors also have additional qualifications, including research and academic contributions, volunteer work within healthcare, and training at top institutions.

Read the full article at castleconnolly.com.

Joint pain, swelling, and stiffness are just a few ways psoriatic arthritis can do a number on your hands. Bone changes and loss of grip strength can result, making it important to manage these symptoms effectively.

There are different patterns of psoriatic arthritis and several of them involve the hands, said Dr. Ashany. For example, one form of psoriatic arthritis affects primarily the DIP joints, which are located just under the fingernails, she explained. “People with this form of psoriatic arthritis also often have psoriatic nail disease,” she continued.

Another form of psoriatic arthritis affects the PIP and MCP joints of the hands primarily, said Dr. Ashany. These are the joints in the middle of each finger as well as at the base of the fingers and can also involve the wrists and other parts of the body. Hands can also be affected by tendonitis, resulting from whole-body inflammation, sometimes referred to as dactylitis.

Read the full article at healthcentral.com. 

The Exceptional Women in Medicine list is compiled through a rigorous selection process that includes peer nominations, extensive research, and evaluation by the Castle Connolly research team. In addition to meeting the criteria to be selected as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor, these physicians have qualifications including contributions to healthcare through volunteer work, awards and honors, training at top institutions, research and academics, and innovations in their field of specialty.

Read the full article at castleconnolly.com.

The diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) can be highly challenging because its hallmark symptom -- chronic back pain -- is experienced by some 20% of adults at some point in their lives.

One challenge in diagnosis is the possibility that the patient has not been referred to a rheumatologist. Because axSpA often is accompanied by nonspinal manifestations such as anterior uveitis, psoriasis, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), patients may have been seen by ophthalmologists, dermatologists, or gastroenterologists less experienced with the spinal disease.

"Patients are often not referred to a rheumatologist for many years, thus delaying their access to effective medications to control their pain and potentially alter their course of disease," said Dr. Ashany.

Read the full article at medpagetoday.com. 

If non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are not enough to bring pain relief, your doctor may prescribe more advanced forms of treatment, such as biologic drugs, which can be highly effective, Dr. Ashany said. 

“For patients with pain at the tendon insertions, braces can also be effective in calming down the inflammation,” Dr. Ashany said. Again, physical therapy may also be helpful, she added.

To help ease these symptoms related to AS, so you can feel your best, it takes a multi-layered approach of medications and other strategies. “The condition progresses variably in patients, and the majority of patients do well with a combination of medication and exercise,” Dr. Ashany said. 

Read the full article at healthcentral.com. 

The Exceptional Women in Medicine list is compiled through a rigorous selection process that includes peer nominations, extensive research, and evaluation by the Castle Connolly research team. In addition to meeting the criteria to be selected as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor, these physicians have qualifications including contributions to healthcare through volunteer work, awards and honors, training at top institutions, research and academics, and innovations in their field of specialty.

Read the full press release at newswire.com. 

Dr. Ashany dispelled the myth that there is one test for diagnosing axSpA. On average, it can take seven years for someone to be diagnosed with axSpA, given the symptoms such as lower back pain. “For physicians not familiar with [axial spondyloarthritis] or not actively thinking about it, they may not pursue the proper tests,” said Dr. Ashany.

Another myth is a specific diet must be followed. Dr. Ashany cited, “There are no well-done studies to show that any particular diet makes a difference in symptoms. However, if a patient tells me that if they eat a particular food they feel much worse, then I tell them to avoid that particular food.”

A common misconception is that non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) always develops into ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Dr. Ashany explained that certain characteristics may help predict worse outcomes, and risk factors for progression to AS include: the male sex, elevated inflammatory markers, presence of the HLA-B27 gene and degree of inflammation seen on MRI of the SI joints. Still, even with these risk factors, not all patients progress, she added.

Finally, even though axSpA can cause permanent damage and structural changes to the spine, this can be avoided. “Patients have variable courses,” noted Dr. Ashany. “Some are never destined to develop progression or significant symptoms, and have quite a mild disease.”

Read the full article at CreakyJoints.org.

Dr. Ashany explains the use of biologic drugs and janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors aren’t only used for patients with severe RA, despite this myth. Such treatments are recommended when traditional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) aren’t effective. “And this can occur in people who don’t have a severe form of RA”, said Dr. Ashany.

Read the full article at Everydayhealth.com.

Dalit Ashany, MD, rheumatologist at HSS, explains that while scientists are still investigating the role that genetics play, research so far suggests it is a factor.

Another potential factor is hypermobility. “Some people are naturally born hyper flexible,” says Dr. Ashany who explains that being able to move beyond a typical range of motion may mean you put more stress on the joint causing it to wear out more quickly.

Read the full article at HealthCentral.com.