Who is a rheumatologist?
A rheumatologist diagnoses and treats systemic autoimmune diseases and musculoskeletal (relating to both - muscles and skeleton) conditions. They also study and treat conditions affecting connective tissues.
Unlike several medical specialists who focus on one part of the body, rheumatologists receive training to look at the complete human physiology. They need the extra knowledge to understand and treat some connective tissue problems and autoimmune diseases that affect the entire body rather than individual parts. Many rheumatologists also choose to focus on specific subsets under rheumatology. For example, pediatric rheumatologists undergo special training to treat children under 18, as children's bodies are different from those of adults.
Educational qualification of rheumatologists
After undergraduate studies, aspiring rheumatologists must complete four years of medical school or osteopathic training. They must also undergo a three-year-long medical residency to get hands-on experience in rheumatology. Aspiring rheumatologists have the choice to complete this residency in internal medicine, pediatrics, or both.
After this residency, rheumatology doctors participate in a two to three-year-long rheumatology fellowship. They study autoimmune diseases and musculoskeletal conditions during their training and also learn their treatments. Post-fellowship, rheumatologists must attempt an exam administered by the American Board of Internal Medicine. On clearing this, they become board-certified rheumatologists and can practice legally in the United States.
Rheumatologists must stay updated with the latest rheumatology techniques, studies, and findings. They must also retake certification exams every ten years and complete a certain number of continuing education hours yearly to maintain their eligibility to practice in the United States.
Rheumatologists versus orthopedists
Rheumatologists and orthopedists both specialize in treating conditions affecting the joints, bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons, such as joint pain and tendinitis. However, each field has distinct areas of focus and expertise.
Rheumatologists assess symptoms by considering the entire organ system, particularly focusing on musculoskeletal issues related to inflammation and autoimmune conditions. In contrast, orthopedists primarily concentrate on addressing injuries, congenital disorders, and degenerative conditions resulting from wear and tear.
Additionally, orthopedists have surgical capabilities, allowing them to perform procedures to address various musculoskeletal issues. While both specialists contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, rheumatologists receive specialized training in managing conditions linked to inflammation and autoimmune factors.
What conditions does a rheumatologist treat?
About 46 million Americans have arthritis or other chronic problems that affect their joints. Treatment for arthritis is the most common reason people seek a rheumatologist. Besides arthritis, rheumatologists treat over 100 rheumatology conditions.
Mentioned below are some complex and inherited disorders that rheumatologists treat:
- Beçhet's disease (causes blood vessels' inflammation throughout your body)
- Osteoporosis (weakens bones)
- Psoriatic arthritis (a form of arthritis that affects people with psoriasis - a disease that causes red patches of skin topped with silvery scales)
- Rheumatic fever (an inflammatory disease that might develop when strep throat or scarlet fever is not sufficiently treated)
- Sarcoidosis (causes growth of tiny collections of inflammatory cells in any part of the body)
- Scleroderma (a group of rare diseases that leads to hardening and tightening of skin)
- Sjögren's syndrome (a disorder of your immune system that leads to dry eyes and a dry mouth)
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks its tissues)
Some joint problems that rheumatologists treat are given below:
- Ankylosing spondylitis (an inflammatory disease that fuses some of the vertebrae)
- Bursitis (a condition that affects the small, fluid-filled sacs, called bursae, cushioning the bones, tendons, and muscles near your joints.)
- Gout (a common and complex form of arthritis)
- Osteoarthritis (the most common form of arthritis)
- Rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune and inflammatory disease)
Below are some tendon issues that rheumatologists treat:
- Achilles tendinitis (an injury caused after overuse of Achilles tendon)
- De Quervain's tenosynovitis (A painful condition that affects the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist)
- Patellar tendonitis (an injury to the tendon connecting your kneecap/patella to your shinbone)
- Rotator cuff issues (injuries caused by progressive wear and tear of the tendon tissue)
- Tennis elbow (a painful condition caused when tendons in your elbow are overloaded)
Here are some muscle conditions that rheumatologists treat:
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (a set of hereditary disorders that target the nerves in the arms and legs)
- Myopathies (neuromuscular disorders causing muscle weakness due to dysfunction of muscle fiber)
- Myasthenia gravis (weakness and rapid fatigue of any of the muscles under your voluntary control)
- Polymyositis (a rare inflammatory disease weakens muscles)
- Rhabdomyolysis (the breakdown of muscle tissue that indirectly releases muscle fiber contents into the blood)
What are autoimmune diseases?
Autoimmune diseases materialize when an individual's immune system becomes excessively active, resulting in misguided attacks on and damage to the body's tissues.
In the usual functioning of the immune system, it produces antibodies. These specialized proteins defend the body against harmful entities like viruses, cancer cells, and toxins. However, in autoimmune disorders, the immune system loses its ability to distinguish between harmful invaders and healthy cells.
Medical professionals have identified over a hundred distinct autoimmune diseases, collectively impacting more than 24 million individuals in the United States. While the exact causes or triggers for these conditions remain unclear, it is worth noting that a rheumatologist near you can effectively treat autoimmune diseases, with treatment often focused on minimizing immune system activity.
When should you see a rheumatologist?
Almost everyone experiences occasional muscle or joint pain. However, you should see a rheumatologist if your discomfort lasts several days.
We recommend seeing a rheumatologist if you notice autoimmune or rheumatic disease symptoms and have a family history of these conditions. It is hard to identify signs of some rheumatic diseases in the early stages, but it is a dangerous gamble to ignore noticeable inflammation, swelling, or stiffness in your body. Musculoskeletal conditions cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in joints, muscles, and bones. Autoimmune diseases can cause inflammation, too. Prompt treatment can prevent permanent joint damage.
How to prepare for a consultation with a rheumatologist?
Preparing for a consultation with a rheumatologist near you involves several proactive steps to ensure a productive and informative appointment. Here are some recommendations:
- Prepare questions: Compile a list of questions to discuss during your appointment. Consider asking about available treatments, potential side effects, expected timelines for improvement, preferred methods of communication between visits, recommended at-home remedies (e.g., ice or heat applications, rest), and the frequency of necessary lab tests.
- Compile a detailed medical history: Create a detailed list of your medical history, encompassing medications prescribed for other health issues. Also, include any vitamins or supplements you are currently taking.
- Maintain a symptom journal: Given the variable nature of symptoms that may come and go swiftly, keep a symptom journal. Document the symptoms you experience and how frequently they occur. Maintaining proper details will help you provide a thorough and accurate account during your appointment.
What to expect from your first rheumatologist consultation?
During your first visit, your rheumatologist may review the diagnosis done by your primary health care provider. They may check your reports to see if you have had any testing or imaging for your symptoms. If this is true for you, we recommend bringing copies of any documents or scans to your first rheumatologist visit.
Your rheumatologist may conduct a physical exam and enquire about your personal and family health history. They may use the gathered information to diagnose you accurately. They may then set up a personalized treatment plan post-diagnosis to manage your symptoms and treat your condition.
Based on your unique case, your rheumatologist might recommend medication, physical therapy, surgery, or joint and tendon injections. They may also use any of these in combination with other treatment options. They may also refer you to other specialists, like a podiatrist if your diagnosis is arthritis.
Find the best rheumatologists near you in Austin, Texas
About 1.3 million Americans have rheumatoid arthritis; around 90% of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms develop in the foot and ankle. Besides limiting your movement, untreated chronic foot pain can cause mental health problems like depression and irritability and hamper one's daily life. Zocdoc helps you treat your condition by connecting you with the best rheumatologists in your area.
Our comprehensive rheumatology directory provides access to your location's top-rated and experienced rheumatologists. All rheumatologists listed on Zocdoc from your area - Austin, Texas - are licensed by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Choose from thousands of doctors based on patient ratings, patient reviews, doctor's education, clinical interests, specializations, practice history, and certifications. All doctor profiles of Zocdoc are verified and updated to assist you in making an informed decision from the comfort of your home.
All you need to do is include 'rheumatologists' in your search query and choose from the top rheumatologists in your area. You can select multiple doctors for a second opinion on your diagnosis or treatment. Once you choose the best fit for your unique case, Zocdoc assists you in instantly booking an appointment for your first session.
You can also utilize Zocdoc's insurance card capture feature to submit your medical insurance information pre-appointment. All bookings with Zocdoc are free, fast, and secure.
Statistical data on arthritis in Texas
Results on arthritis diagnosis from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2020 reveal nearly 17.5% of Texans aged 25 and older have received a professional diagnosis for some form of arthritis, around 3% less than the national average for the same age group.
The data also revealed that arthritis in Texas is more common among females than males. In 2020, approximately 25.1% of all adult females and nearly 16.4% of all adult males in Texas had arthritis. In the same year, about 6.3% of people between 18 and 44 in Texas had diabetes. About 27.6% of those between the ages of 45-64 years and nearly 49.6% of those above 65 in Texas also had arthritis.
Sources
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
Cleveland Clinic
Arthritis Foundation
America’s Health Ratings
Healthline
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