Dr. Ayesha Cheema is a primary care doctor with Mercy Personal Physicians at Columbia. She offers experienced and thoughtful primary care for adults of Howard County.
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, includes disorders that cause inflammation of the intestines. IBD is treated at Mercy by expert gastroenterologists.
Mercy's renowned breast center offers award-winning care and Board Certified doctors. The Breast Center's comprehensive care is designed for women undergoing the journey to overcome breast disease.
Mercy offers emergency care on the Downtown Baltimore campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (410-332-9477) with access to a trained emergency medicine team, diagnostic services and consultations with specialists.
In case of an Emergency, Dial 911 and follow the instructions of the EMS (Emergency Medical Services) team.
Mercy Medical Center's downtown campus includes our Main Hospital - The Mary Catherine Bunting Center, McAuley Plaza and The Weinberg Center.
General visiting hours at Mercy are 11:00 am to 8:30 pm. Hours vary by floor, please check with the nursing staff or call 410-332-9555.
At The Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist and Hand Center at Mercy, our doctors offer expertise in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Patients from the Baltimore region turn to Mercy's orthopedic surgeons for their skills in providing rheumatoid arthritis treatment options.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease characterized by overgrowth of the joint lining, or synovium, leading to the destruction of the joint’s articular cartilage and bone. Eventually, rheumatoid arthritis causes joint deformity and shifting. Rheumatoid arthritis typically affects smaller joints first, such as fingers and toes, and then can develop in the hips, knees, ankles, elbows and shoulders.
Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms include pain in the joints. Additional symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include:
Rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult to diagnose because rheumatoid arthritis symptoms are similar to other conditions. A physical exam is conducted to check for swelling and muscle strength. Blood tests may be performed to test for a high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR or sed rate), which shows if there is a development of an inflammatory process in the body. X-rays may be taken to track the deterioration of the joints.
There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but treatment options are available to control inflammation and reduce pain. Treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis include:
For severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis, surgery may be the best treatment option. Surgical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis can include the arthroscopic removal of the joint lining or a total joint replacement.
Dr. Joseph Ciotola is a top rated hip, knee and shoulder surgeon. His expertise in anterior hip replacement makes him one of the most sought-after orthopedic surgeons in the Baltimore region for hip replacement.