What Does a Rheumatology Doctor Treat?

A rheumatologist or rheumatology doctor is qualified to treat several rheumatologic diseases

A rheumatologist or rheumatology doctor is qualified to treat several rheumatologic diseases, including:

• Musculoskeletal pain disorders
• Back and neck pain
• Tendinitis (inflammation of a tendon, most commonly from overuse but also from an infection)
• Bursitis (inflammation of the bursae [fluid-filled pads] that act as cushions at the joints)
• Osteoarthritis (a type of arthritis that occurs when the cartilage between your bone collapses)
• Rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disease that can cause joint pain and damage throughout the body)
• Osteoporosis (a condition where the bones become weak and brittle)
• Gout (a form of arthritis characterized by severe pain, redness, and tenderness in joints)
• Spondylitis (inflammation in your spinal bones or vertebrae)
• Myositis (muscle inflammation)
• Fibromyalgia (widespread muscle pain and tenderness)
• Vasculitis (an inflammation of the blood vessels that causes changes in the blood vessels walls)
• Sciatica (nerve pain from an injury to the sciatic nerve)
• Cervical radiculopathy (pinched nerve)
• Carpal tunnel syndrome (numbness and tingling in the hand and arm)
• Still's disease (a rare inflammatory disorder that affects the whole body)
• Dermatomyositis (an inflammatory disease characterized by muscle weakness and rash)
• Osteomyelitis (inflammation of the bone caused by an infection)
• Certain autoimmune disorders, such as:
  • Lupus (a chronic autoimmune condition that can cause inflammation throughout your body)
  • Antiphospholipid syndrome (a disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the normal proteins in the blood)
  • Scleroderma (chronic hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues)
  • Sjogren’s syndrome (an autoimmune disease characterized by dry eyes and dry mouth)
  • Lyme arthritis (arthritis caused by Lyme disease bacteria)

Who is a rheumatologist?

A rheumatologist is a board-certified specialist in internal medicine who diagnoses and treats arthritis and autoimmune illnesses. They mainly treat people with pain and disorders of the

• Joints.
• Muscles.
• Bones.
• Other connective tissues.

Many rheumatologists are involved in research to find the cause and suggest enhanced treatment for rheumatic disease.

What training does a rheumatologist receive?

Rheumatologists must complete the following training:

• They should complete 4 years of medical or osteopathic education.
• They should complete 3 years of residency training in either internal medicine or pediatrics.
• After residency, they must enroll in a 2- or 3-year rheumatology fellowship.
• Finally, they should take a board examination to become board certified in rheumatology.
• They should repeat the board examination every 10 years.

What to expect during a visit to a rheumatologist?

When you visit a rheumatologist, they will perform the following procedure:

• They will gather your medical history.
• They will perform a thorough examination to look for signs of inflammation throughout your body.
• They will order for an X-ray or other laboratory tests. They will review the results of these tests and previous tests, if performed, and combine them to determine the source of your symptoms.
• They may develop a treatment plan based on your symptoms and causes.
• Treatment options may include:
  • Medications
  • Physical therapy
  • Referral to other specialists
  • Joint/tendon injection