Dr. Ann Winny, MD

Dr. Ann Winny, MD is a Rheumatologist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care at her Lakeland, FL clinic. She is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). General Rheumatologists are your primary partners in preventing joint damage and preserving quality of life, expertly diagnosing and managing arthritis and autoimmune diseases through long-term health plans, coordinated screenings, and comprehensive wellness management to control inflammation and empower you to live your best life. She serves individuals of all ages experiencing joint pain, stiffness, or symptoms suggestive of arthritis or autoimmune conditions. Dr. Winny is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey; please call (863) 680-7000 to schedule.

Dr. Ann Winny, MD is a rheumatologist in Lakeland, FL with over 40 years of experience in the medical field. She graduated from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine in 1984 and is Board Certified in Rheumatology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. With this wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care, she's affiliated with Cape Coral Hospital and Bartow Regional Medical Center and is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She understands the importance of preventative care and strives to help her patients understand their conditions and manage them effectively. Dr. Winny provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Ann Winny is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Ann Winny can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Ann Winny provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Osteoarthritis of Shoulder: Don't let shoulder osteoarthritis limit your activities. Early detection and a tailored treatment plan, including physical therapy and medication, can significantly improve your shoulder function and prevent further deterioration.
• Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR): Catching polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) early through regular checkups helps prevent significant joint and muscle damage, ensuring you can maintain an active lifestyle.
• Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is a common joint disease where cartilage breaks down, causing pain and stiffness; early diagnosis and lifestyle changes can significantly slow its progression and prevent disability.
• Osteoarthritis of Foot: Foot osteoarthritis can significantly impact your daily life, but proactive management, including regular check-ups and appropriate exercise, can help maintain mobility and reduce long-term complications.
• Fibromyalgia: Since fibromyalgia can significantly impact daily life, seeking early medical attention to develop a personalized management plan is crucial to prevent further complications.
• Vasculitis: Vasculitis is an inflammation of your blood vessels that, if caught early, can be managed to prevent serious organ damage and improve your quality of life.
• Psoriatic Arthritis: Managing psoriatic arthritis effectively, with the help of your doctor, involves controlling inflammation to protect your joints and prevent long-term pain and stiffness.
• Bursitis: Bursitis is an inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs (bursae) cushioning your joints, and early diagnosis with prompt treatment can prevent lasting joint damage.
• Osteopenia: Osteopenia indicates a decrease in bone mass, increasing the risk of osteoporosis; taking preventive measures can help maintain bone strength and protect against fractures.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease where your immune system mistakenly attacks your joints, leading to pain and damage—early diagnosis and treatment can significantly slow its progression and prevent irreversible joint destruction.
• Juvenile Chronic Arthritis: Because juvenile chronic arthritis can significantly impact joint health, preventative care through close monitoring and timely intervention is crucial for children's well-being.
• Arthritis: Protecting your joints starts with understanding arthritis: early detection and proactive management, as supported by WePrevent, can significantly slow disease progression and improve quality of life.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Ann Winny offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Bone Density Scan: Protecting your bones from age-related decline, a bone density scan is a vital screening tool for identifying early signs of osteoporosis and facilitating timely treatment.
• Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) Scan: Take a proactive step towards bone health with a DEXA scan – it's a simple test that can identify weakening bones, crucial for managing arthritis and preventing future complications.
• Joint Drainage: By draining fluid from an affected joint, we can analyze its contents to better understand and treat your arthritis or other inflammatory condition.
• Joint Fluid Test: Early detection of inflammatory conditions is key; a joint fluid test can assist in this early diagnosis of arthritis, helping to preserve joint function and prevent long-term disability.
• Steroid Injection: A steroid injection can be a proactive step to reduce inflammation and pain in your joints, helping you manage your arthritis symptoms and maintain mobility.
• Trigger Point Injection: To actively manage your arthritis pain, trigger point injections can target specific muscle knots, reducing inflammation and improving your range of motion.
• Viscosupplementation With Hyaluronate: To protect your joints from further damage and maintain their health, viscosupplementation using hyaluronate injections can replenish the natural cushioning, easing pain and stiffness.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Rheumatology in Florida.

Dr. Ann Winny is dedicated to partnering with Caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Patient's life:

• By understanding their risk factors and starting a tailored physical therapy plan, a patient proactively managed their shoulder pain, preventing further deterioration and maintaining an active lifestyle.
• By attending regular appointments and following a proactive health plan, a patient successfully managed potential PMR symptoms, ensuring continued mobility and a high quality of life. This proactive approach helped prevent significant joint and muscle damage, allowing the patient to maintain an active lifestyle.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. She will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Rheumatologic care with Dr. Ann Winny:

What is a rheumatologist and how can they help me?

A rheumatologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the joints, muscles, and connective tissues, including autoimmune diseases. They can help manage your condition, prevent further joint damage, and improve your overall well-being through long-term care.

What is the difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease, often called "wear and tear," where cartilage breaks down. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the joints. Dr. Winny's role is to accurately diagnose the cause of joint pain to ensure the appropriate treatment is given.

Can diet and exercise really help my arthritis?

Absolutely. While diet and exercise won't cure arthritis, they are powerful tools for prevention. An anti-inflammatory diet can help manage symptoms, and low-impact exercise strengthens supporting muscles, preventing further strain and improving mobility.

What does a joint aspiration (arthrocentesis) do?

A joint aspiration, or arthrocentesis, is a procedure where a specialist removes excess fluid from a swollen joint using a needle. This provides immediate pain relief by reducing pressure and allows lab analysis of the fluid to determine the cause of swelling, which is essential for proper diagnosis and preventing future problems.

How is an autoimmune disease diagnosed?

Diagnosing an autoimmune disease is like solving a puzzle. Dr. Winny and her team carefully review your symptoms, conduct a physical exam, and order specific blood tests to identify autoantibodies and markers of inflammation. This process is crucial for understanding your condition and preventing disease progression.

What causes a gout flare, and how can I prevent one?

Gout flares are caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in a joint. Common triggers include red meat, shellfish, and alcohol. Preventing flares involves a partnership between medication to lower uric acid and lifestyle changes to manage these triggers, which helps prevent painful attacks and long-term joint damage.

What is Sjögren's Syndrome?

Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the glands that produce moisture, primarily leading to dry eyes and mouth. Management focuses on relieving symptoms to prevent complications like dental problems and eye damage.

What are biologic medications and how do they work?

Biologic medications are a modern class of advanced medications derived from living sources. They work by targeting very specific parts of the immune system that cause inflammation, rather than suppressing the whole system, making them a powerful tool to prevent joint damage and preserve function.

1600 Lakeland Hills Blvd
Lakeland FL 33805
Phone: (863) 680-7000

Dr. Ann Winny, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1649246497

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Rheumatology like Dr. Ann Winny are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your rheumatology about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.