The Rheumatology Department specializes in diagnosing and treating autoimmune and inflammatory diseases that primarily affect the joints, muscles, and bones. Rheumatologists are experts in managing conditions that cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in the musculoskeletal system, often with a focus on chronic and complex diseases. The department provides comprehensive care aimed at improving function and quality of life for patients with rheumatic conditions.
Common Conditions Treated
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): An autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints, leading to pain, swelling, and eventual joint damage.
- Osteoarthritis (OA): A degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of cartilage, leading to pain and stiffness in affected joints.
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): An autoimmune disease that can affect multiple organs, including the skin, joints, kidneys, and heart, causing a wide range of symptoms.
- Psoriatic Arthritis: An inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis, causing joint pain, swelling, and skin lesions.
- Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS): A type of inflammatory arthritis that primarily affects the spine and sacroiliac joints, leading to pain and stiffness.
- Gout: A form of arthritis characterized by sudden, severe pain and swelling in the joints due to uric acid crystals.
- Fibromyalgia: A condition marked by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tenderness in localized areas.
- Vasculitis: Inflammation of the blood vessels that can affect organs and tissues throughout the body, including the skin, nerves, and organs.
- Scleroderma: An autoimmune disease that causes hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues, potentially affecting internal organs.
- Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA): An umbrella term for several types of arthritis that occur in children and can cause joint pain and inflammation.
Diagnostic Services
- Laboratory Tests: Blood tests to identify markers of inflammation, autoantibodies, and other indicators of rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA).
- Imaging Studies: Utilizing X-rays, ultrasound, MRI, and CT scans to assess joint damage, inflammation, and disease progression.
- Joint Aspiration and Injection: Extracting synovial fluid from a joint for analysis to diagnose conditions or inject medications for relief of symptoms.
- Bone Density Testing: Measuring bone mineral density to assess the risk of osteoporosis, particularly in patients with chronic inflammatory conditions.
Treatment and Management
- Medications: Prescribing various medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biologics, and corticosteroids to manage inflammation, pain, and disease progression.
- Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs): Drugs that slow the progression of rheumatic diseases and prevent joint damage, including methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine.
- Biologic Agents: Targeted therapies that modify specific immune system components to treat conditions like RA and psoriasis, such as TNF inhibitors and interleukin inhibitors.
- Physical Therapy: Designing exercise and rehabilitation programs to improve joint function, reduce stiffness, and strengthen muscles surrounding affected joints.
- Occupational Therapy: Assisting patients with daily living activities and recommending assistive devices to improve function and reduce joint strain.
- Pain Management: Implementing strategies for managing chronic pain, including medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle modifications.
