Rheumatology Rheumatology
Joints, muscles, tendons and the autoimmune conditions affecting them: arthritis, back pain, morning stiffness, connective tissue disease.
Who is usually sent here
Pain in several joints, prolonged morning stiffness, recurrent joint swelling, abnormal inflammatory markers.
What this specialty does NOT cover
Does not operate on or replace joints — that is orthopaedics. Acute injury is not theirs either.
What a first visit usually involves
Examination of each joint, range of movement, and careful questioning about minutes of morning stiffness.
Bring with you
A note of which joints hurt and when, the minutes of morning stiffness, and previous joint films.
Worth asking
- Is this inflammatory or degenerative — the paths differ
- Will I need regular blood monitoring on treatment
- What kind of activity helps