What is Rheumatology ?
Arthritis & Diseases of Autoimmunity
Rheumatology is a subspecialty in internal medicine which is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of over 100 types of diseases involving the joints, soft tissues, connective tissue disorders, vasculitis and autoimmune diseases. Therefore, Rheumatologists are experts in the treatment of various arthritides and musculoskeletal conditions including:
Osteoarthritis
Gout
Osteoporosis
Tendonitis
Bursitis
Generalized pain conditions (e.g. fibromyalgia)
Rheumatoid arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis
Reactive arthritis
Systemic Lupus Erythematosis
Scleroderma
Sjogrens syndrome
Myositis, which involves inflammation in the muscle.
Many more.
Therapies for these conditions have rapidly evolved over the last 20 years and continue to do so to this day. It truly is an exciting time in the field. Building a strong relationship with your Rheumatologist early in the disease course and initiating appropriate treatment therefore remains critical to preventing irreversible complications and improving overall quality of life.