Dr. David Mandel is one of Northeast Ohio's thought leaders on the treatment and evaluation of patients with osteoporosis. He utilizes new treatments for osteoporosis and arthritis that are truly cutting edge. These injection and infusion therapies have given patients their lives back. You wouldn’t expect to find these types of ground breaking therapies being used in a private practice, but Dr. Mandel is committed to providing only the very best care for its patients utilizing emerging treatments.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Today, millions of patients with very active rheumatoid and other types of inflammatory arthritis receive some of the following injection and intravenous medications weekly or monthly. These medications have been shown to offer tremendous relief of joint pain and also can prevent further destruction of joints. No longer do we think of rheumatoid as the crippling arthritis but as a arthritis that can be "possibly cured." Some patients have felt they finally have gotten their life back. Others say they now feel like their "good ole' selves." Learn more about these medications by going on the following medication websites:

Links: Actemra, Cimzia, Enbrel,  Humira, Orencia, Remicade, Rituxan, Simponi

Osteoporosis

Today, there are many excellent medications that can reduce bone loss and prevent fracture. Osteoporosis can lead to serious consequences including spine and hip fractures. The pain can be very severe but can also cause both physical impairment of muscle weakness, deformity and emotional discomfort. Today there are many excellent medications that can prevent bone loss. Some patients have difficulty with gastrointestinal upset and can not easily swallow the common oral medications. They come to the office for intravenous or injections medications and strengthen their bones. Patients tolerate the medications quite well. These help reduce the risk of fracture significantly. First Line Therapies are oral bisphosphonates: Actonel, Atelvia, Boniva, and Fosamax.
Learn more about these by going on the following medication websites:

Actonel, Atelvia, Boniva, Forteo, Prolia, Reclast

Dupuytrens Contracture

This is a progressive abnormal thickening of tissue in the palm of the hand. Over time, this can form a thick tight cord which causes a bend in the fingers. Once this occurs, patients begin having difficulties such as combing their hair, brushing teeth holding a tennis racket and golf club. In the past, surgery would be the only available treatment. Today, there is an effective non surgical injection called Xiaflex. Studies have shown this to be very helpful, safe and with less time away from work and at less cost than surgery. Dr Mandel is one a few Rheumatologists in the United States trained to administer Xiaflex.

Click here to learn more about Xiaflex

INFUSION THERAPY

The fact that infusion therapy is part of a treatment plan for patients either with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoporosis is not unusual. What is unusual is being able to receive the treatment right in the same office as your treating specialist.

Dr. David Mandel felt it was important to be able to have hands on with the patients in his practice when receiving therapy. Many times hospital infusion units are unfamiliar with the medications used in rheumatology and therefore do not have the specialized understanding that our staff infusion nurses have.

The environment is also important. Patients find sharing the same symptoms—physical, social and family issues—can act as another type of healing balm. The infusion process can be lengthy in the hospital units where patients could wait anywhere up to two hours before the IV is started. Hospital expenditures are quite a bit higher for this service opposed to having it rendered in the doctor’s office. Perhaps the most important impact is in the ability to monitor the patient first hand, see their response and tolerance to the medication.

Our infusion staff is highly professional, very dedicated, and is attentive to patients’ needs. This service is just another way Dr. Mandel works to make sure our patients receive the best quality care possible.