Rheumatologist: Specialist in Connective Tissue and Joint Disorders

Rheumatology

A rheumatologist is an internist or pediatrician with fellowship training in diagnosing and managing diseases of the joints, muscles, bones, and connective tissues.

Core Conditions Treated

• Inflammatory Arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis.
• Connective Tissue Diseases: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), Sjögren's syndrome, polymyositis/dermatomyositis, mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), vasculitides (GCA, PAN, ANCA-associated).
• Crystal Arthropathies: Gout, pseudogout (CPPD).
• Osteoarthritis (non-inflammatory, but often co-managed).
• Soft Tissue Rheumatism: Fibromyalgia, bursitis, tendinopathy.
• Bone Metabolic: Osteoporosis, Paget's disease.

Diagnostic Tools

Clinical exam, autoantibodies (RF, anti-CCP, ANA, dsDNA, ANCA), synovial fluid analysis, imaging (X-ray, US, MRI, DEXA).

Therapies

• DMARDs (methotrexate, sulfasalazine, hydroxychloroquine)
• Biologics (TNF, IL-6, IL-17, IL-23, B-cell, T-cell costimulation inhibitors)
• JAK inhibitors
• Intra-articular injections
• Rehabilitation, lifestyle counseling