Dr. Susan Lacks, MD

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Physicians & Surgeons, Rheumatology (Arthritis), Physicians & Surgeons, Physicians & Surgeons, Dermatology

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Regular Hours

Mon:	9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Tue:	9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wed:	9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Thu:	9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Fri:	9:00 am - 4:00 pm

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Accepted Insurance

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Specialties

Primary: Rheumatologist (Joints & Arthritis Specialist)

Sub-Specialty: General

Additional Specialties: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Specialist, Internal Medicine

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Phone: (202) 293-8815

Fax: (202) 293-4118

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Lacks Susan

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Physicians & Surgeons, Rheumatology (Arthritis), Physicians & Surgeons, Physicians & Surgeons, Dermatology, Physicians & Surgeons, Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Physicians & Surgeons, Family Medicine & General Practice, Physicians & Surgeons, Internal Medicine, Physicians & Surgeons, Neurology, Physicians & Surgeons, Oncology, Physicians & Surgeons, Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment, Physicians & Surgeons, Pain Management, Physicians & Surgeons, Podiatrists

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Phone: (202) 293-8855

Address: 2141 K St NW Ste 407, Washington, DC 20037

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Dr. Susan Lacks, MD

General Practitioners

Osteoporosis
Arthritis
This term loosely describes a group of disorders affecting the joints of the body. There are over 100 types of "Arthritis". Many parts of a joint can be affected, including the cartilage, the bones that meet to form a joint, the tendons and ligaments that support a joint. Arthritis can be roughly categorized into non-inflammatory and inflammatory. Non-inflammatory types of arthritis include those caused by trauma (torn cartilage in a knee, for example) or wear and tear (Osteoarthritis). Inflammatory types of arthritis include those caused by Autoimmunity (Rheumatoid Arthritis), crystal deposition in the joint (Gout), and infection (Lyme Arthritis). Arthritis can also be looked at as systemic or non-systemic. When it is systemic, a person will feel generally ill, fatigued, and sometimes feverish along with having joint pain. When non-systemic, the joint(s) are the only thing causing discomfort.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia: A condition that is characterized by widespread pain, hypersensitivity to pain, fatigue, and "tender points" in specific locations of the body (near muscle attachments to bone). The cause of this condition is not fully understood, but it is often associated with disturbed sleep, more specifically, inadequate deep, Stage IV sleep. The central nervous system appears to be involved because it is also frequently associated with depression and chronic stress. Other conditions often seen in association with Fibromyalgia include Irritable Bowel Syndrome, TMJ Syndrome, and Interstitial Cystitis.
Plantar Fasciitis
Medical Weight Loss
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR): An autoimmune disease that affects the muscles and joints causing very characteristic symptoms. A person feels intense stiffness and discomfort in the neck, shoulders, upper arms, buttocks and hips, primarily in the mornings. The pain and stiffness can be so severe that a person has difficulty getting out of bed. It can be associated with fatigue, feverishness, weight loss, and anemia. It can be preceded by Bursitis of the shoulders. It only occurs in individuals over the age of 50 and is almost always associated with an elevated sedimentation rate (a blood test). About 10-15% of people with PMR also develop Temporal Arteritis (Giant Cell Arteritis).
Rheumatology
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Diarrhea

Pregnancy

Internal Medicine
Kidney Stones
Gout: An inflammatory type of arthritis caused by the build up of a natural waste product, uric acid, in the blood and deposited in the joints. When the concentration of uric acid becomes high enough in a joint, it can crystallize in the joint fluid causing very painful inflammation. The big toe joints are most frequently involved, but the ankles, knees, wrists, and most other joints in the body can also be affected. This uric acid build-up in the blood is due to a genetic defect of the kidneys in 90% of those with gout. The kidneys are not able to clear the uric acid from the blood efficiently enough. The other 10% of individuals with gout produce too much uric acid, either due to a genetic defect in their metabolism or due to some other underlying illness. Alchohol and certain medications (Aspirin and diuretics, eg.) interfere with the kidneys' ability to excrete uric acid. Certain foods (shellfish and organ meats, eg.) cause more production of uric acid. High uric acid levels can also cause formation of kidney stones.
Interstitial Cystitis
Prostate Cancer
Osteoporosis: A disease that causes bone to become thin and brittle. It makes one more susceptible to fractures of the wrists, hips, and vertebrae most commonly. Compression fractures of the vertebrae can occur without falling or trauma and can lead to a "rounding" or hump-like appearance of the upper spine. Women are especially at risk for developing Osteoporosis after menopause. Men who are treated with steroids or with drugs like LUPRON for prostate cancer are also at great risk for developing this condition. Screening tests that measure bone density to determine whether Osteoporosis is present include DEXA Scans and QCT Scans (for the spine only).

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A condition caused by swelling in the wrist resulting in pinching of one specific nerve, the Median Nerve. Anything that causes swelling of a wrist can cause this syndrome, including trauma, arthritis, tendonitis, pregnancy, hypothyroidism, tendonitis, obesity, alchohol abuse, etc. About 50% of the time, the underlying cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is never determined. The Median Nerve has branches that go to the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring finger. Symptoms include a sensation of swelling or numbness of the entire hand (even though only 4 of the 5 fingers are involved). Occasionally these nerve sensation can be very uncomfortable and will awaken a person from sleep at night. It is during the night and early morning that people tend to feel the symptoms most.
Multiple Sclerosis
Rare cases of a "Lupus-like" reaction (rash, arthritis, fever) and exacerbation of a nerve disease, Multiple Sclerosis", have been reported as well.

Depression
Insomnia

Endocrinologist

Hypothyroidism

MRI
Polymyositis and Dermatomyositis: An autoimmune disease causing chronic inflammation and eventual atrophy of muscle. It is usually a painless condition that usually first presents with increasing weakness of the upper arm and leg muscles. It can also affect the muscles that control swallowing. When associated with a typical rash around the eyes, upper back, and extremities, it is called Dermatomyositis. Its diagnosis requires blood testing for elevated muscle enzymes, muscle biopsy, and sometimes, an Electromyographic study or MRI Scan.
X-Rays

Ulcer
ASPIRIN: This is the first "non-steroidal" anti-inflammatory medication ever prescribed. In high doses, it can be very effective in treating arthritis symptoms. Unfortunately, it can be very irritating to the stomach, rapidly inducing gastritis and ulcer formation. This, combined with its ability to interfere with clotting of the blood, produces a dangerous combination that can lead to life-threatening, bleeding ulcers. Most physicians believe that if Aspirin were required to undergo the rigorous testing now required of modern medications, it would never be approved by the FDA because of its potential for dangerous side effects. Fortunately, safer anti-inflammatory medications are now available.
Rashes
Psoriasis
Psoriatic Arthritis: An inflammatory, autoimmune arthritis that occurs in 5-10% of individuals with a skin disorder called Psoriasis. It can develop long before Psoriasis develops, however. At times, Psoriasis never develops or it is so minor that it is not noticed. The inflammatory nature of this arthritis causes chronic pain, swelling and stiffness in the large and small joints alike - often affecting all of the joints of one finger or toe and causing a "sausage digit" ( dactylitis ). The joints of the spine and the costochondral joints of the rib cage (where the ribs meet the breast bone or spine) can also be involved. Tendonitis occurs with greater frequency in this condition. Psoriatic Arthritis is also categorized as a Spondyloarthropathy. Psoriatic Arthritis is capable of causing erosion of bone around joints leading to permanent destruction.

Physical Therapists

Physical Therapy
Myofascial Pain Syndrome: This is a painful condition involving a specific group of muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It follows an episode of strain or injury to the structures adjacent to the muscles involved. The muscles tighten in response and eventually take on a state of constant spasm. There is usually a focus of pain and spasm within the group of muscles called a "trigger point". Pressure here will usually reproduce pain radiating throughout the involved area. This condition can become relatively chronic and can persist even after the site of original injury has healed. It often requires a combination of Physical Therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, and trigger point injection with cortisone and/or lidocaine to resolve. The most commonly involved areas are the upper back (between the neck and shoulder) and the buttock and hip muscles.
Neck Pain

Achilles Tendonitis
Reactive Arthritis (Reiter's Syndrome): An autoimmune disease usually involving the joints of the legs that is triggered by an infection, either a gastroenteritis or a urethritis. Certain bacteria have been identified as more often causing this arthritis in genetically susceptible individuals, Yersinia, Shigella, Campylobacter, Salmonella, Chlamydia, Borrelia Burgdorferi (the Lyme disease bacteria). It is often associated with conjunctivitis, oral ulcers, circinate balanitis (a skin lesion on the penis), Keratoderma Blenorrhagicum (a scaly rash on the soles of the feet), plantar fasciitis (also called "heel spurs") or Achilles tendonitis. 90% of patients with Reactive Arthritis will have a gene marker called the HLA-B27 Antigen. Some individuals will continue to have a chronic arthritis even after triggering infection has long since passed. Reactive Arthritis is also categorized as a Spondyloarthropathy.
Heel Spurs
Plantar Fasciitis

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