Table of contents:

1. What is Rheumatology? What is a Rheumatologist?
2. Osteoarthritis
3. Osteoarthritis of the Knee
4. PMR/TA

1. What is Rheumatology? What is a Rheumatologist?

Rheumatology is the medical science that is devoted to the study of over 120 rheumatic disorders and musculoskeletal conditions. Rheumatic disorders are systemic (throughout the body) disorders which always involve a part on the connective tissue structures of the body, especially joints and their surrounding tendons, ligaments, cartilage, bone and fibrous tissue. When the problem is largely in the joints it is called arthritis. However, sometimes ‘arthritis’ is used to denote all the rheumatic diseases, as seen in the name of the charity, “Arthritis Foundation”. Rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, polymyositis, Sjogren’s syndrome, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis and osteoarthritis are all examples of rheumatic diseases. Vasculitis is also considered among the rheumatic diseases, for while the blood vessels are the major site of inflammation, frequently joints, muscles etc. are also involved.

Examples of musculoskeletal conditions include neck, low back, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, knee, ankle, hip and foot pain.

A rheumatologist first studies general medicine as an intern, then internal medicine as a resident trainee and follows this with a fellowship in rheumatology. Therefore, a rheumatologist studies for four years in college, four years in medical school and then trains for an additional five years in internal medicine and rheumatology. This is before we even start practice and why we frequently look old (joke).

There is a standardized exam given at the completion of a rheumatology fellowship and one at the end of an internal medicine residency. If you pass the exams you are said to be “Board Certified” in Rheumatology. Doctor Weiner is Board Certified in both rheumatology and internal medicine.