An Optimistic Outlook for Anderson
The early undifferentiated inflammatory arthritis that Garret Anderson was diagnosed with Wednesday could have been a precursor to the potentially debilitating condition known as rheumatoid arthritis or any one of the dozen or so chronic arthritic illnesses.
But the fact that doctors diagnosed the Angel center fielder’s condition in its infant stages and will have a wide range of treatment options to attack it bodes very well for a full recovery, according to a renowned Beverly Hills rheumatologist who has worked in the field for 38 years.
“I couldn’t make a prediction, but if this was caused by a viral illness, it would go away in three months and the outlook would be wonderful,” said Dr. Rodney Bluestone, speaking in general terms about Anderson’s condition.
“If this was the beginning of a chronic illness, there are new medicines that could stop it on a dime, and he would be completely functional.
“Unless he’s very, very unlucky, he’ll get better, or the doctors will find the right medicine to make him better. There are lots of modern treatments that can keep him in his sport. Ten years ago, that wouldn’t be the case.”
In lay language, Bluestone said, early undifferentiated inflammatory arthritis means Anderson “has inflammation in the joints, but they caught it so early in the disease that they haven’t been able to give it a specific label.
“Mother Nature hasn’t allowed it to develop into a typical form of arthritis. If you find it early, you can stop the disease before it evolves into anything serious. If you don’t treat it, you can develop a lot of pain and swelling of the joints.”
Anderson, who was not available to comment Thursday, has been on the disabled list since April 22, when he began experiencing pain and stiffness in his neck, upper back and shoulders, general fatigue and problems sleeping.
Over the next few weeks, Anderson met with a number of specialists in the fields of rheumatology, neurology and orthopedics, but without a diagnosis, Anderson, his teammates, Angel coaches and front-office executives were baffled and frustrated by his ailment.
But Wednesday’s diagnosis by David Brown, a Pasadena rheumatologist, and Craig Milhouse, one of the Angels’ team physicians, provided some clarity to Anderson’s situation.
Anderson was supposed to begin taking oral medication Thursday night, he can start working out in a pool and on an exercise bike and treadmill in a week, and will progress to more strenuous exercise as his condition allows. There is no timetable for his return, but it’s possible the Angel cleanup batter could be back by July.
“His treatment will depend on the clues his doctors get, and they can range anywhere from anti-inflammatory drugs all the way up to biological agents that can completely stop arthritis,” Bluestone said. “You can go up the ladder according to the severity of the illness.”
Whether Anderson’s condition has been caused by a virus or is the beginning of chronic arthritis also will determine the course of treatment, Bluestone said, but the source of Anderson’s illness has not yet been determined.
The good news, Bluestone said, is that no matter the source or severity of Anderson’s condition, there have been quantum leaps in the treatment of arthritis in the last 10 years, and the Angel star will benefit.
