Rheumatologist

A Rheumatologist diagnoses and treats patients affected by rheumatic diseases, as arthritis, improving quality of life.  Besides prescribing chemicals, treatments or other specialistical visits, this professional provides patient and family with the best tools to live with chronic disorders.

Which pathologies does a rheumatologist treat?

The most common diseases are:

  • inflammatory rheumatism, such as acute articular rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis
  • Connective diseases, e.g. Systemic erythematosus lupus, Sjogren syndrome, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, scleroderma and vasculitis
  • Arthritis caused by metabolical actions, e.g. gout
  • Spondyloarthropathy
  • Le spondiloartropatie
  • Degenerative diseases as arthrosis
  • Extrarticular rheumatism, i.e. fibromyalgia, bursitis and periarthritis
  • Bone diseases, e.g. osteoporosis, osteomalacia and Paget disease of bone
  • Raynaud syndrome
  • Rheumatical symptoms associated to other pathologies
  • Paraneoplastic syndromes and some neoplasms

Which are the most common procedures used by the Rheumatologist?

Various procedures can be used to diagnose and treat rheumatisms, the most frequent involve:

  • Blood tests
  • Urinalysis
  • Synovial fluid analysis
  • X-rays
  • Articular ultrasound
  • CAT scan
  • MRI
  • Arthroscopy
  • Capillaroscopy

The rheumatologist can prescribe drugs and recommend physical rest, a suitable physical activity, a balanced diet, methods to control stress, the use of adequate sunscreen cream and, if necessary, can recommend surgery.

When to see a rheumatologist

Early diagnosis of a rheumatic disease can help reduce its long-run complications. It is recommended to see a rheumatologist in the case of:

  • Joint swelling
  • Weakness
  • Headache (with sight problems) or fever associated with high ESR
  • White or blue fingers, especially if associated with ulcers
  • Swelling and tension of hand and foot skin • Skin rashes associated with joint pain or fever
  • Morning stiffness or backache worsening in the morning and improving after physical activity
Request Visit

Who will follow you on this path

Report Your
Problem

Report your problem

One of our experts will contact you to understand how to help you.