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