A rheumatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating rheumatic diseases—these are autoimmune or inflammatory conditions that primarily affect the joints, muscles, bones, and sometimes internal organs.
🩺 What Does a Rheumatologist Do?
Rheumatologists:
- Diagnose and treat chronic inflammatory diseases.
- Help manage pain, swelling, and stiffness in joints and muscles.
- Coordinate long-term care for patients with systemic autoimmune diseases.
- Work closely with other specialists like orthopedic surgeons, dermatologists, nephrologists, and physical therapists.
🧬 Conditions They Treat Include:
| Disease | Description |
|---|---|
| Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) | Autoimmune attack on joints, causing pain, swelling, and potential deformity. |
| Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) | Affects skin, joints, kidneys, and other organs. |
| Ankylosing Spondylitis | Inflammatory arthritis mainly affecting the spine. |
| Psoriatic Arthritis | Joint pain in people with psoriasis. |
| Gout | A form of arthritis caused by uric acid crystal buildup in joints. |
| Osteoarthritis | “Wear and tear” arthritis—less inflammatory, more mechanical. |
| Vasculitis | Inflammation of blood vessels. |
🔍 How They Diagnose:
- Physical exam
- Medical history review
- Blood tests (e.g., ANA, RF, anti-CCP)
- Imaging tests (X-rays, MRI, ultrasound)
- Joint aspiration (removing fluid for analysis)
💊 Common Treatments:
- Immunosuppressive medications (e.g., methotrexate)
- Biologic therapies (e.g., TNF inhibitors)
- Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone)
- NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen)
- Lifestyle modifications & physical therapy
When to See a Rheumatologist:
You should consider seeing a rheumatologist if you have:
- Persistent joint pain or swelling.
- Fatigue or unexplained fevers.
- A known autoimmune disease.
- Positive autoimmune markers in bloodwork (e.g., ANA, RF).