What Is a Rheumatologist?

What is a rheumatologist?

Rheumatology is a medical subspecialty focusing on diseases of the joints, muscles and bones, including autoimmune diseases and other inflammatory diseases that affect the musculoskeletal system.

Rheumatologists are board-certified internal medicine or pediatric physicians who complete additional years of medical school and specialized training to diagnose and treat difficult-to-diagnose conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other rheumatic diseases. These conditions cause the immune system to mistakenly attack healthy tissue, leading to pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints and other areas of the body.

While rheumatologists treat many of the same diseases of the joints as an orthopedic surgeon, they focus on early diagnosis and treatment rather than surgical intervention. If you are experiencing persistent joint pain, your primary care provider may refer you to a rheumatologist for further evaluation. 

What services do rheumatologists provide?

At Banner Health, our rheumatology team is dedicated to providing you with the correct diagnosis and the most effective treatments for your symptoms. 

We offer a range of services, including diagnosis, treatment and management of various rheumatic conditions. Our services include:

• Diagnosis and evaluation. Our specialists use advanced diagnostic techniques to identify rheumatic diseases accurately. They review your medical history, conduct a physical exam, and perform specialized tests to detect conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. 
• Treatment planning. We develop personalized treatment plans based on the specific needs of each patient.  Treatment may include medications, physical or occupational therapy, lifestyle modifications or referrals to other specialists, such as an orthopedic surgeon when surgical care is necessary 
• Medication management. Our rheumatologists have expertise in prescribing and managing medications used to treat rheumatic diseases, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biologic therapies and corticosteroids.
• Injections and joint aspiration. We provide injections or remove excess joint fluid to relieve pain, swelling and stiffness. These procedures may involve the use of corticosteroids or other therapeutic agents.
• Infusion therapy. We provide infusion therapy in a safe and comfortable environment for certain rheumatic conditions. Infusion therapy involves the administration of intravenous medications to manage symptoms and slow disease progression.
• Research and clinical trials. You may have access to the latest therapies through ongoing research and clinical trials.

Learn more about the rheumatology conditions.