Rheumatology
Rheumatology is a branch of medicine dedicated to the diagnosis and management of disorders primarily involving inflammation in the bones, muscles, joints, and sometimes internal organs3. These conditions, known as rheumatic diseases, often affect the musculoskeletal system and connective tissues25. Rheumatologists are physicians with specialized training in this field3.
Scope of Rheumatology
- Rheumatology encompasses more than 100 different complex diseases3.
- Many rheumatic diseases are autoimmune disorders, while others are musculoskeletal conditions resulting from injuries that develop into chronic issues2.
- Due to the complex nature of these diseases, diagnosing and treating them can be challenging3.
Conditions Treated by Rheumatologists
Rheumatologists treat a wide variety of conditions, including34:
- Arthritis (various forms, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis)
- Autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, Sjögren’s syndrome)
- Pain disorders affecting the joints
- Osteoporosis
- Back pain
- Tendinitis
- Soft tissue problems related to the musculoskeletal system
- Sports-related soft tissue disorders
- Spondyloarthropathies
- Arthritis of infectious or metabolic origin
- Vasculitis
- Polymyalgia Rheumatica
- Giant cell arteritis
Diagnosis
To diagnose musculoskeletal disorders, a specialist in rheumatology will start by questioning the patient5. In addition to a clinical assessment, additional tests, such as an MRI, CT scan, or X-ray, may be requested5. In the case of inflammatory diseases, various biological tests may also be prescribed5.
Diagnostic and Treatment Procedures
A rheumatologist may perform the following5:
- Joint punctures
- Joint washing and infiltration
- Interventions guided by ultrasound
- Electromyogram (to analyze muscle function)
- Bone densitometry (to assess bone density)
Training of a Rheumatologist
In the United States, becoming a rheumatologist requires34:
- Four years of undergraduate school
- Four years of medical school
- Three years of residency (in internal medicine or pediatrics)
- An additional two to three years of fellowship training in rheumatology
Rheumatologists can become board-certified after completing their training and passing a rigorous exam34.
Pediatric Rheumatology
Pediatric rheumatologists are pediatricians who specialize in treating children with rheumatic diseases3. They address the child’s development and treatment throughout childhood3.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Definition | A branch of medicine focused on diagnosing and managing disorders with inflammation in the bones, muscles, joints, and internal organs. |
| Specialist | Rheumatologist |
| Common Diseases Treated | Arthritis, autoimmune diseases, pain disorders affecting joints, osteoporosis, back pain, tendinitis. |
| Diagnostic Tools | Clinical assessment, MRI, CT scan, X-ray, biological tests. |
| Treatment Options | Joint punctures, washing and joint infiltration, interventions guided by ultrasound, electromyogram, bone densitometry, medications. |
| Training (United States) | 4 years of undergraduate school, 4 years of medical school, 3 years of residency (internal medicine or pediatrics), 2-3 years of fellowship training in rheumatology. |
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References:
A comprehensive overview of the scope of rheumatology, the diversity of rheumatic diseases, diagnostic approaches, and the specialized training required for rheumatologists is provided in “EULAR–UEMS standards for the training of European rheumatologists” (DOI: 10.1136/ard-2023-224025).
