Dr. Steven Mathews, MD

Dr. Steven Mathews, MD is a Rheumatologist practicing at his clinic in Jacksonville, FL, dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Rheumatologic care. He 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. He serves individuals of all ages experiencing joint pain, stiffness, or symptoms suggestive of arthritis or autoimmune conditions. Dr. Mathews is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey and encourages you to call (904) 296-8516 to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Steven Mathews, MD is a rheumatologist in Jacksonville, FL with over 40 years of experience in the medical field, specializing in Osteoporosis & Screening. He earned his medical degree from Autonomous University Of Guadalajara School Of Medicine in 1982 and is affiliated with Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville. With over 40 years of dedicated experience in Rheumatologic care, he brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. He 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. Dr. Mathews is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments. He offers consultations in Spanish.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Steven Mathews 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. Steven Mathews 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. Steven Mathews 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:

• Bursitis: Protecting your joints from overuse and repetitive motions can help prevent bursitis, a painful condition affecting the cushioning sacs around your joints.
• Sarcoidosis: Sarcoidosis can affect multiple organs, including the joints, so proactive monitoring and treatment are vital in preventing inflammation and preserving quality of life.
• Osteoarthritis of Foot: Early diagnosis of foot osteoarthritis is crucial, as prompt treatment can help minimize pain, inflammation, and the need for more extensive interventions later.
• Osteopenia: Osteopenia is a condition where your bones are weaker than normal, increasing your risk of fractures, so early detection and lifestyle changes can help prevent future problems.
• Joint Pain: Experiencing persistent joint pain? Don't delay seeking medical attention; proactive management can significantly reduce inflammation and preserve your joint health.
• Osteoarthritis of Spine: Early diagnosis of spinal osteoarthritis is key to preventing debilitating pain and disability by allowing for timely interventions like exercise and medication.
• Scleroderma: Recognizing the symptoms of scleroderma early can significantly reduce long-term health problems, as prompt treatment helps control inflammation and protect your organs.
• Ankylosing Spondylitis: Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that primarily affects the spine, and early diagnosis with prompt treatment can significantly reduce long-term disability and joint damage.
• Psoriatic Arthritis: Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic condition, but consistent treatment and lifestyle modifications can help minimize its impact, keeping your joints healthy and maintaining your mobility.
• Osteoarthritis of Hip and Thigh: Don't let hip and thigh osteoarthritis limit your life. Early detection through regular checkups with your doctor and implementing preventative strategies like physical therapy can help you manage symptoms and avoid 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.
• Spondylitis: Spondylitis is an inflammatory arthritis affecting the spine, and early diagnosis with prompt treatment can help prevent permanent joint damage and disability.

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. Steven Mathews 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: A bone density scan is a quick and painless test that helps measure the strength of your bones, allowing for early detection of osteoporosis and helping prevent fractures.
• Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) Scan: Regular DEXA scans can be a vital part of your arthritis management plan, providing insights into bone density and helping you and your doctor create a strategy to maintain strong bones and prevent fractures.
• Joint Drainage: This procedure helps determine whether joint pain and swelling are caused by infection, crystals, or an autoimmune disease, guiding your treatment plan.
• 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: To ease severe joint pain and stiffness, a steroid injection offers targeted relief, helping prevent further joint damage and improve your quality of life.
• Trigger Point Injection: As part of your proactive arthritis care plan, trigger point injections can alleviate pain in the muscles surrounding your joints, supporting a better quality of life.
• Arthritic Rehabilitation: Arthritic rehabilitation helps you regain strength and mobility in your joints, reducing pain and preventing further damage.

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. Steven Mathews 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 proper body mechanics and incorporating rest into her routine, a patient successfully prevented the onset of bursitis, maintaining a pain-free lifestyle.
• By proactively managing their condition with regular check-ups and medication, a patient significantly reduced the risk of sarcoidosis-related inflammation, allowing them to maintain a high quality of life.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. He 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. Steven Mathews:

What is a rheumatologist and how can they help me?

Dr. Mathews is a medical doctor specializing in diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the joints, muscles, and connective tissues, including autoimmune diseases. They work with patients to manage chronic conditions, prevent further joint damage, and improve quality of life.

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 attacks the joints. Dr. Mathews's role is to accurately diagnose the cause so the appropriate treatment can be given.

What is vasculitis?

Vasculitis is a group of rare diseases causing inflammation of the blood vessels. Symptoms vary widely depending on the affected vessels. Prompt diagnosis and treatment by a rheumatologist are crucial to prevent potential damage to vital organs.

What is fibromyalgia and how is it treated?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, and sleep problems. Treatment is multi-faceted, focusing on preventing flare-ups through a combination of medication, gentle exercise, stress management, and improved sleep hygiene.

How does a rheumatologist use ultrasound in the office?

Dr. Mathews uses musculoskeletal ultrasound in our office as a safe, real-time imaging tool to precisely diagnose inflammation in joints and tendons. It also allows for accurate guidance during injections, ensuring medications reach the precise location for optimal results.

Can you help with chronic back pain?

Dr. Mathews and our team can help determine if your back pain is related to inflammatory arthritis, like ankylosing spondylitis. We differentiate this from mechanical back pain through a thorough diagnostic process. This ensures the right treatment is started to prevent long-term spinal fusion and stiffness.

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 from the pressure and allows lab analysis of the fluid to determine the cause of the swelling, which is essential for developing a treatment plan and preventing future issues.

Can diet and exercise really help my arthritis?

Absolutely. While diet and exercise won't cure arthritis, they're 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.

6863 Belfort Oaks Pl
Jacksonville FL 32216
Phone: (904) 296-8516

Dr. Steven Mathews, 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): 1104987122

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. Steven Mathews 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.