Rheumatology is a specialty discipline in Internal Medicine. It is devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases. “Rheumatic diseases” is an umbrella term, which includes over 120 musculature and autoimmune conditions. Most of these diseases are systemic in nature, meaning they may affect many different parts of the body or the body as a whole. They commonly affect the joints, bones, muscles and other connective tissue. This may lead to pain, stiffness, swelling and over time also to deformity and disability, especially if left untreated. Many of these conditions are complex and may be difficult to diagnose.
Rheumatology covers a wide range of diseases, primarily involving joints, connective tissues, muscles, and autoimmune processes. Here’s a breakdown of major categories and examples of diseases falling under Rheumatology.
Inflammatory Arthritis
These are autoimmune or autoinflammatory disorders that cause joint inflammation.
Systemic Autoimmune Diseases (Connective Tissue Diseases)
These can affect multiple organs beyond the joints.
Crystal Arthropathies
Caused by deposits of crystals in the joints.
Vasculitis Syndromes
Diseases involving inflammation of blood vessels.
Musculoskeletal and Soft Tissue Disorders
Non-autoimmune conditions often seen in rheumatology clinics.
Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases
The body’s immune system is highly specialised and is designed to protect you from disease and harmful substances through various biological processes and anatomical structures. Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system “accidentally” targets healthy tissue, resulting in inflammation and damage.
Some examples of autoimmune diseases include: rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), type 1 diabetes, Grave’s disease.
Recent significant advances in the understanding of how the immune system works (Immunology) as well as major progress in the field of Genetics has led to exciting new developments and treatment strategies in autoimmune diseases and other rheumatologic conditions.
All patients can expect a comprehensive medical assessment, consisting of a complete medical history and thorough physical examination, to rapidly establish a correct diagnosis. Access to state of the art laboratory and imaging modalities will facilitate this process.
Every human being is absolutely unique therefore an individualized multi-disciplinary treatment strategy is highly important. It will be formulated for every patient individually, with the aim of providing the best possible treatment, restoring normal function and improving the quality of life as quickly as possible.
Therapeutic intra-articular injections and diagnostic/ therapeutic joint aspirations will be performed if indicated.