Rheumatology

A rheumatologist is a doctor who specialises in the management of patients with joint disorders, usually forms of arthritis and their complications.

Find the right Rheumatologist for you

Medical Conditions

Rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Reiter’s Syndrome
Autoimmune arthritis
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
Ankylosing spondylitis
Psoriatic arthritis
Juvenile arthritis
Osteoporosis
Metabolic bone disease

Specialty Areas of Interest

Juvenile arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoarthrits
Bone disease

Associated Tests

Plain X-Ray
Ultrasound
Bone scan
Bone densitometry
CT scan
Magnentic resonance imaging (MRI)
Blood tests
Autoantibodies
Inflammatory markers

Procedures

Joint aspiration
Joint injection
Physiotherapy
Occupational therapy

What to expect

Your rheumatologist must first make a diagnosis, assess severity and complications and then move on to making management plans.

History

History will focus on your current joint problems and how they effect you and your life.

Examination

Examination will focus on your joints, however a general examination is an important part of the rheumatological examination.
Investigations will include blood tests, imaging and often joint aspirations.

Treatment

Treatment will involve a multidisciplinary team including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Medical management may involve injections, medications and advice whilst the other members of the team will attempt to optimise mobility and joint function.