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Dr. Sergio T. Alvarez, CAQSM, MD is a sports medicine doctor in Sunnyvale, CA specializing in sports medicine, internal medicine (adult medicine) and emergency medicine. He graduated from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), David Geffen School of Medicine. Dr. Sergio T. Alvarez, CAQSM, MD is affiliated with Brown and Toland Physicians, Sutter Health and SUTTER BAY MEDICAL FOUNDATION.
Joint Injections
A joint is any area of the body where two bones connect. Due to injury or disease, the space between the two bones can sometimes become swollen and inflamed, which leads to pain and a loss of mobility. Injection and aspiration are two tools that physicians use to treat joint pain locally without needing to perform surgery.
Both injection and aspiration are techniques that involve inserting a needle connected to a syringe directly into the joint. Aspiration involves the removal of excess fluid, and injection is the placement of medication directly into the joint space via the needle. Both procedures may be performed at the same time. In both cases a local anesthetic may be used, the skin will be cleaned and disinfected, and then the needle will be inserted. In some cases, especially if the injection or aspiration is in a large and deep joint such as the hip or spine, ultrasound may be used to guide the needle to the exact location desired.
In some cases, irritation to the joint can cause fluid to build up so significantly that the joint hurts and can no longer move well. Aspiration removes some of the excess fluid and relieves the pressure. In addition, aspiration can be used to provide a sample of joint fluid if it needs to be examined microscopically for the presence of white blood cells, bacteria, or crystal formations.
Certain injuries and diseases that affect joints are inflammatory in nature, such as rheumatoid arthritis, tendonitis or gout. These diseases may be helped by the local injection of anti-inflammatory medications directly into the affected joint. In this case, corticosteroids such as methylprednisone are usually used. Relief from the pain may be felt right away and may last for weeks or even months.
In some cases, such as with osteoarthritis, the cartilage buffer between the two bones wears down and pain comes from bones rubbing against each other. In this case, injection of a lubricating agent such as hyaluronic acid may be beneficial. It provides a slippery cushion between the bones to relieve pain that can last for months.
Dr. Sergio T. Alvarez, CAQSM, MD graduated from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), David Geffen School of Medicine. He completed residency at San Francisco General Hospital. He is certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine American Board of Emergency Medicine (Certified) and has a state license in California.
Medical School: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), David Geffen School of Medicine
Residency: San Francisco General Hospital
Board Certification: American Board of Emergency Medicine American Board of Emergency Medicine (Certified)
Licensed In: California
Dr. Sergio T. Alvarez, CAQSM, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Sergio T. Alvarez, CAQSM, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Blue Shield of California, Medicare Advantage, HealthSmart, MultiPlan, United Healthcare, TRICARE, Cigna, Alliance PPO, Anthem Blue Cross of California, Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS), Accepted Valley Health Plan Plans: Classic Commercial HMO Plan only, Accepted Central California Alliance for Health Plans: TotalCare (HMO D-SNP), Accepted SCAN Plans: SCAN Compass (HMO), Accepted Santa Clara Family Health Plan Plans: DualConnect (HMO D-SNP), Accepted Provider Networks of America Plans: PPO, Accepted Sutter Health Plan Plans: Individual and Family Plan HMO: Large and Small Group HMO, Accepted Chinese Community Health Plan Plans: Active Choice- PPO Silver: Amber 50 HMO Silver: American Indian/Alaskan Native (Covered CA for Individual & Families): Bronze 60 HDHP HMO (including... and Accepted Aetna Plans: Aetna Choice POS II: Aetna Select EPO: Aetna Select Open Access: Aetna Signature Administrators (ASA): Aetna Student Health Program: Health Fund HMO (aka HMO/HRA): Health Fund....
According to our sources, Dr. Sergio T. Alvarez, CAQSM, MD accepts the following insurance providers:
Dr. Sergio T. Alvarez, CAQSM, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars based on 401 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Sergio T. Alvarez, CAQSM, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Sunnyvale, CA.
Dr. Sergio Alvarez, who practices in Mountain View, CA and Sunnyvale, CA, is a medical specialist in emergency medicine and sports medicine. Dr. Alvarez speaks Spanish. His areas of expertise include the following: knee arthritis, injury prevention, and tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis). His hospital/clinic affiliations include Brown and Toland Physicians and Sutter Health. After completing medical school at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), David Geffen School of Medicine, he performed his residency at San Francisco General Hospital. He is rated highly by his patients. Dr. Alvarez seems to be an in-network provider for Anthem, Blue California, and HealthSmart, as well as other insurance carriers. Dr. Alvarez has an open panel in Sunnyvale, CA according to Brown and Toland Physicians.
