Introduction:
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Rheumatology is that branch of medicine that concerns itself with the arthritic complaints, mainly rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. From the Greek word rheum, meaning a kind of watery buildup, rheumatoid arthritis, once commonly called rheumatism, was once believed to be caused by a build up of fluid in the joints, the so-called 'water on the joints'. This was probably due to the fact that inflamed joints swell, and the ancients attributed that to fluid buildup. Now any discipline that studies joint and cartilage disease and dysfunction falls under the general category of rheumatology. |
Definition of Rheumatology
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Rheumatology: A subspecialty of internal medicine that involves the non-surgical evaluation and treatment of the rheumatic diseases and conditions. Rheumatic diseases and conditions are characterized by symptoms involving the musculoskeletal system. Many of the rheumatic diseases and conditions feature immune system abnormalities. Therefore, rheumatology also involves the study of the immune system. Classical rheumatology training includes 4 years of medical school, 1 year of internship in internal medicine, 2 years of internal medicine residency, and 2 years of rheumatology fellowship. There is a subspecialty board for rheumatology certification. The American College of Rheumatology is the official organization acting on behalf of the field of rheumatology in the United States. |
Illnesses related to Rheumatology: |
1. Rheumatoid Arthritis |
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2. Osteoarthritis |
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3. Gout / Pseudo Gout |
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4. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus |
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5. Back Pain |
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6. Bursitis |
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7. Fibromyalgia |
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8. Polymyositis/Dermatomyositis |
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9. Scleroderma |
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10. Temporal Arteries |
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ROLE OF A RHEUMATOLOGIST
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Rheumatologists treat arthritis, certain autoimmune diseases, musculoskeletal pain disorders and osteoporosis. There are more than 100 types of these diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus. |
What Does a Rheumatologist Do? |
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The rheumatologist's most important role is to decide on the diagnosis and recommend the right kind of management for the disease. Toward this aim, the rheumatologist advocates for the patient in all aspects of health care, the community, and in the legislative arena. The rheumatologist educates the patient, family, and community, teaching not only medical information, but also techniques for preventing disability, coping mechanisms for chronic disorders, behavioral therapy for improving quality of life, medication, and rehabilitative functions. The rheumatologist is a member of the health care team, referring and receiving referrals from all team members.
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The rheumatologist evaluates the following:
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- signs and symptoms of systemic involvement
- joint disorders
- need for orthopedic or corrective intervention
- need for hospitalization for medical management
- mental well-being
- level of independence
- result of advanced laboratory and radiological examinations
- necessity of referrals to other health care providers
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When Should Someone See a Rheumatologist? |
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Rheumatologists are specially trained to do the detective work necessary to discover the cause of swelling and pain. It is important to determine a correct diagnosis early in the disease process so that the person can begin appropriate treatment since some musculoskeletal disorders respond best to treatment during this time period. Early diagnosis and treatment may be able to help some people with AS since most of the loss of function in this disease group occurs during the first ten years.
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How Does the Rheumatologist Work with Other Health Care Professionals? |
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Oftentimes, the rheumatologist works with other physicians, sometimes acting as a consultant to advise another physician about a specific diagnosis and treatment plan. In other situations, the rheumatologist acts as a manager, relying upon the help of many skilled professionals including nurses, physical and occupational therapists, psychologists and social workers. Teamwork is important, since musculoskeletal disorders are chronic.
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Where Do Rheumatologists Work? |
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Rheumatologists provide care in a variety of health care settings, including medical, surgical, and rehabilitation hospital units, private office practice, managed care practice, outpatient clinics, and transitional care units.
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Training |
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Rheumatologists must obtain a bachelor's degree (four years of college), medical degree (four years of medical school), training in either internal medicine or pediatrics (three years), and a rheumatology fellowship program. Most rheumatologists who plan to treat patients choose to become board certified. Upon completion of their training, they must pass a rigorous exam conducted by the American Board of Internal Medicine to become certified.
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