Dr. Ada Lopez-Mendez, MD is a Rheumatologist dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive care for older adults (65 and over) at her clinic in Winter Haven, FL. She is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). General Rheumatologists possess specialized expertise in diagnosing and managing complex rheumatic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and lupus common in seniors, working collaboratively with your primary care physician and other healthcare providers to ensure optimal care. Dr. Lopez-Mendez is currently welcoming new patients and encourages you to call (863) 294-0670 to schedule an appointment.
With over 40 years of dedicated experience in Rheumatologic care, Dr. Ada Lopez-Mendez brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to her patients and their families. She earned her medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus in 1981 and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine, and Board Certified in Rheumatology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Lopez-Mendez, a highly experienced rheumatologist in Winter Haven, FL, is affiliated with AdventHealth Orlando and Orlando Health-Health Central Hospital and has extensive experience in Osteoporosis & Screening. She is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients and their families feel heard and empowered in their healthcare decisions. She offers consultations in Spanish.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Ada Lopez-Mendez is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Lopez-Mendez is a compassionate partner in your senior's health journey, offering comprehensive rheumatologic care tailored to individual needs. She expertly diagnoses and manages complex rheumatic conditions, collaborating closely with primary care physicians and other specialists to ensure holistic and coordinated care. Her focus extends beyond medical treatment, encompassing patient understanding, family involvement, and creating a personalized plan to maximize comfort and independence for each senior.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Ada Lopez-Mendez can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Curative
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care) PPO
- Medica Choice
- UnitedHealthCare
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Ada Lopez-Mendez provides expert, compassionate care for a range of conditions common in older adults, with a focus on managing symptoms and maintaining function. Common areas of focus include:
- Vasculitis: Vasculitis involves inflammation in your blood vessels, which can lead to a variety of symptoms depending on which vessels are affected; treatment focuses on managing inflammation, which can help improve symptoms and help you to remain as active and independent as possible.
- Temporal Arteritis: Temporal arteritis is an inflammation of the blood vessels in your head, often causing headaches and jaw pain, but it can be effectively treated with medication to prevent serious complications and improve your comfort.
- Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis: Think of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis as a cousin to rheumatoid arthritis; it causes similar joint problems but doesn't show up in typical blood tests. Fortunately, effective treatments are available to reduce inflammation, manage pain, and help you stay active and engaged in life.
- Osteoarthritis of Hip and Thigh: Osteoarthritis of the hip and thigh is a common type of arthritis causing cartilage breakdown in these joints, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility, but thankfully, treatment options like physical therapy and medication can help manage symptoms and improve your comfort.
- Osteoarthritis of Spine: The wear and tear of spinal osteoarthritis can lead to stiffness and pain, affecting your ability to move freely. Fortunately, various treatments, from medication to physical therapy, can help you manage symptoms and remain as active as possible.
- Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis, often called 'wear and tear' arthritis, is a common joint condition causing pain and stiffness due to cartilage breakdown.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis of Ankle Foot: Experiencing ankle and foot pain due to rheumatoid arthritis can be frustrating and limit your mobility, but thankfully, numerous treatments are available to help control the inflammation, relieve pain, and improve your ability to walk and engage in activities you enjoy.
- Fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition causing widespread pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances, but with proper management, seniors can find ways to ease symptoms and maintain a better quality of life.
- Dermatomyositis: Dealing with dermatomyositis means managing muscle weakness and skin changes, but a tailored treatment plan that includes medication and lifestyle adjustments can greatly enhance your quality of life.
- Gout: Gout is a type of arthritis that causes sudden, severe joint pain, usually in the big toe, due to a buildup of uric acid crystals.
- Seropositive Rheumatoid Arthritis: This more severe form of rheumatoid arthritis, called seropositive, is identified by the presence of certain antibodies, but through regular monitoring and medication, you can slow the progression of the disease and maintain your mobility and quality of life.
- Joint Pain: If you're struggling with joint pain, know that you're not alone, and help is available. A rheumatologist can assess your condition and recommend personalized treatment options, improving your comfort and easing your daily tasks.
This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional based on your specific health history.
To provide comprehensive and person-centered care, Dr. Ada Lopez-Mendez offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Bone Density Scan: To assess your risk of fractures and guide treatment decisions for conditions such as osteoporosis, a bone density scan helps measure the mineral density in your bones.
- Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) Scan: To help manage your arthritis and prevent falls, a DEXA scan helps reveal how strong your bones are, guiding treatment decisions to improve bone health.
- Joint Drainage: Joint drainage, or arthrocentesis, helps doctors diagnose joint problems like infection or inflammation by removing fluid for analysis.
- Joint Fluid Test: To ensure your treatment plan is as effective as possible, a joint fluid test aids in distinguishing between various joint diseases, such as gout and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Musculoskeletal Function Test: Measuring your muscle strength and joint movement through this test allows for better monitoring of the effectiveness of your arthritis treatment.
- Myofascial Trigger Point Injection: This procedure helps diagnose the source of muscle pain by injecting a solution into specific points, confirming whether trigger points are contributing to a senior's discomfort.
- Peripheral Nerve Block: A peripheral nerve block is a procedure that can help pinpoint the source of your pain by temporarily numbing specific nerves.
- Steroid Injection: Steroid injections can provide temporary pain relief and reduce inflammation in arthritic joints, improving mobility and quality of life for seniors.
- Trigger Point Injection: For seniors with persistent muscle pain that limits daily activities, trigger point injections can offer temporary pain relief, allowing for increased participation in physical therapy or other treatments.
- Viscosupplementation With Hyaluronate: To help manage the discomfort of osteoarthritis, viscosupplementation injections replenish the natural cushioning in your joints, improving mobility and reducing pain.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Rheumatology in Florida.
Dr. Ada Lopez-Mendez is dedicated to partnering with older adults and their families to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how compassionate care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- With the inflammation in her blood vessels better managed, a senior woman was able to resume her beloved knitting hobby, a source of joy and comfort. Her family felt a profound sense of relief knowing she could enjoy her favorite pastime again.
- With effective medication, a senior woman found relief from debilitating headaches and jaw pain associated with temporal arteritis, allowing her to return to her beloved painting hobby.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. She will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Practice
3801 E Highway 98 Ste 100100, Port St. Joe, FL, 32456
Phone: (850) 229-5752
View on Map
- HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital Port St. Lucie (Residency Hospital)
- American Board of Internal Medicine (Internal Medicine)
- American Board of Internal Medicine (Rheumatology)
Here are answers to some common questions about Rheumatologic care with Dr. Ada Lopez-Mendez:
- What is a Rheumatologist?
- Dr. Lopez-Mendez is a medical doctor specializing in diagnosing and treating arthritis and other diseases affecting joints, muscles, and bones. She is skilled in managing complex conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and gout, focusing on reducing pain and improving quality of life.
- What is the difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis?
- Osteoarthritis is a "wear and tear" condition where cartilage in the joints breaks down over time. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the joints, causing inflammation. Dr. Lopez-Mendez is an expert in diagnosing and treating both.
- I have joint pain. Should I see a rheumatologist or an orthopedic surgeon?
- Dr. Lopez-Mendez and her team of rheumatologists specialize in diagnosing and treating arthritis and joint pain, often with medications and non-surgical treatments. Orthopedic surgeons focus on surgical procedures, like joint replacements. A rheumatologist is usually the best first point of contact for unexplained joint pain.
- What is Sjögren's syndrome?
- Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune condition most commonly causing dry eyes and mouth. It can also be associated with fatigue and joint pain. Dr. Lopez-Mendez can help manage the systemic aspects of the disease and works with ophthalmologists and dentists to coordinate care and provide relief for symptoms.
- What are biologic medications or 'infusion therapy' for rheumatoid arthritis?
- Biologic medications are a newer, advanced class of medications very effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis. Unlike general anti-inflammatories, they target specific parts of the immune system that cause inflammation. Some of these medications are given as an infusion in a clinic or infusion center.
- What is a joint injection and does it hurt?
- A joint injection is a procedure where medication, often a powerful anti-inflammatory, is placed directly into a painful joint. This provides rapid relief from pain and swelling. The area is numbed beforehand, and while there might be some pressure, the procedure is quick and generally well-tolerated.
- Can you help with fibromyalgia?
- Yes, we can help with fibromyalgia. It's a complex chronic pain condition, but rheumatologists are key specialists in managing its symptoms. Treatment focuses on a multi-faceted approach, including gentle exercise, stress management, and medications to reduce pain and improve sleep.
- What is gout and how is it treated?
- Gout is a very painful form of inflammatory arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in a joint, most commonly the big toe. Treatment focuses on relieving the immediate pain with anti-inflammatory medications and preventing future attacks with medications that lower uric acid levels.
635 1st St N
Winter Haven FL 33881
Phone: (863) 294-0670
Dr. Ada Lopez-Mendez, 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): 1841267143
Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by infoaging.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with healthcare partners for yourself or a loved one. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the provider named. Rheumatology like Dr. Ada Lopez-Mendez are skilled in helping seniors and their families navigate their health journey. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.