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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