Arthritis & Rheumatologic Conditions

Overview

Overview

Rheumatic diseases affect your joints tendons, ligaments, bones, and muscles. Among them are many types of arthritis, a term used for conditions that affect your joints.

Sometimes they’re called musculoskeletal diseases. Common symptoms include: Joint pain, Loss of motion in a joint or joints, or Inflammation — swelling, redness, and warmth in a joint or affected area.

The medical field that studies these types of conditions is called rheumatology. If your regular doctor thinks you have a rheumatic disease, he’ll probably send you to a rheumatologist — a doctor who’s specially trained to treat them.

Your rheumatologist will examine you to diagnose your condition, then oversee a treatment plan for you that will likely include medications, regular exercise, a healthy diet, stress management, and rest.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on a physical exam, patient history, blood tests, and/or imaging studies such as Xrays or MRI.

Symptoms

Symptoms may vary depending on the condition, but may include the following:

  • Joint Pain and/or Swelling

    Joint Stiffness

    Sun Sensitivity

    Hair Loss

    Seizures or Strokes

    Headache

    Back Pain

    Eye Inflammation

    Dry Eyes or Dry Mouth

Treatment

There is currently no cure for these rheumatic diseases, but clinical studies indicate that remission of symptoms is more likely when treatment begins early with medications known as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologic DMARDs.

Medications We Administer

  • Remicade

    Orencia

    Simponi Aria

    Benlysta

    Actemra

    Rituxan

    Solu-Medrol

    Stelara