What Is a Rheumatologist?

What is a rheumatologist?

Rheumatology is a medical subspecialty focusing on diseases affecting the musculoskeletal system, including joints, bones, muscles and soft tissues. 

Rheumatologists are internal medicine physicians who receive further training in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal disorders and autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, commonly called rheumatic diseases. 

Rheumatic diseases cause your immune system to mistakenly attack healthy tissue, causing inflammation, pain and other symptoms.

Rheumatologists treat many similar joint diseases as orthopedists, but they don’t perform surgery. 

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 gather a complete medical history, perform a physical exam and conduct various diagnostic tests.
• Treatment planning. We develop personalized treatment plans based on the specific needs of each patient. Our approach may include a combination of medication, physical therapy and/or occupational therapy, lifestyle modifications and referrals to other specialists. 
• 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 inject or remove excess fluid in the joint to alleviate pain and inflammation. 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.