Rheumatology

Symptoms 

If you have joint pain that is accompanied by additional symptoms, such as swelling and fatigue, your doctor may have suggested that you consult a rheumatologist. 

Causes 

Some of the causes are 

• Genetics 
• Hormonal 
• Environmental 

Diagnosis 

Conditions we treat include: 

Auto-immune diseases 

• Rheumatoid arthritis / Rheumatism (arthritis of small joints, usually of the hands and feet) 
• Spondyloarthropathies, including: 
• Ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis of the spine) 
• Psoriatic arthritis (arthritis in patients with the skin condition Psoriasis) 
• Inflammatory muscle diseases (i.e., Dermatomyositis and Polymyositis) 
• Lupus (a chronic inflammatory disease) 
• Other connective tissue diseases 
• Sjogren’s Syndrome (a condition that leads to arthritis and dry mouth and eyes) 
• Systemic Sclerosis (a disease of the connective tissues) 

Bones and cartilage 

• Osteoarthritis (wearing down of cartilage) 
• Osteonecrosis (reduced blood flow to bones) 
• Osteoporosis (brittle bones, weak bones, and increased risk of broken bones) 

Circulatory system 

• Behcet’s Disease (inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body) 
• Raynaud’s Syndrome (a condition resulting in reduced blood flow) 
• Vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels) including Temporal or Giant Cell Arteritis, Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (formerly Wegener’s Granulomatosis; a disease of the blood vessels affecting the sinuses, lungs, and kidneys), and other vasculitides 

Crystals deposition disease 

• Gout (a form of arthritis resulting in sudden pain, burning, or swelling of a joint due to uric acid deposits) 
• Pseudogout (can resemble gout but it is due to calcium deposits) 

Nervous system 

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (tingling and pain in hands) 
• Meralgia Paresthetica (tingling and burning pain in the thigh) 
• Other nerve compression syndromes 

Non-articular (Soft Tissue Rheumatism) and Regional Musculoskeletal: 

• Back pain 
• Bursitis (inflammation of the bursa, around the bones and soft tissues); tendonitis (inflammation of the tendons) and other conditions resulting in inflammation 
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) 
• Fibromyalgia (a condition resulting in widespread pain and fatigue, sleep and memory loss, and mood issues) 
• Neck pain 

Treatment 

Treatment approaches can differ based on the patient's symptoms and type of diagnosis. Our rheumatologists utilize a number of therapies, both medical and non-medical, to address your rheumatic concerns, such as: 

• Lifestyle changes 
• Physical therapy 
• Occupational therapy 
• Nutritional therapy 
• Medication 
• Surgery