Rheumatology / Arthritis

The Department of Rheumatology manages patients with various forms of arthritis, musculoskeletal conditions, and autoimmune diseases. While the department specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, we also offer the non-surgical management of musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, and tendonitis.

Please call for more information about our care and services to address these needs:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Lupus
• Gout

Why should I see a Rheumatologist?

Many people are unaware of what Rheumatologists do, so if you are referred to one, it may be confusing. The following information is intended to help explain what a Rheumatologist does and how seeing one can help.

A Rheumatologist medically treats a variety of conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system (bones, joints, muscles, tendons…) and some diseases caused by dysfunction of the immune system known as autoimmune diseases. Rheumatologists are not surgeons so they use medications, IV infusions and injections to treat these problems.

Rheumatologists are trained in internal medicine for 3 years before starting a 2-3 year fellowship to specialize in Rheumatology. This allows them to have an extensive understanding of medical conditions that may be influencing your symptoms.

Some reasons you may see a Rheumatologist...

• Rheumatoid Arthritis or Psoriatic Arthritis (autoimmune disease affecting the joints) 
 Osteoporosis (thinning of the bones leading to fractures) including DEXA scan 
 Osteoarthritis (degenerative disease of the joints "arthritis") 

• Evaluation of symptoms of uncertain origin ("could this be autoimmune?") 

• Evaluation of abnormal lab tests that could indicate an autoimmune disease (A positive ANA or elevated Rheumatoid factor)
• Lupus (autoimmune disease affecting joints, skin and other organs) 

• Gout (inflammatory arthritis caused by uric acid crystals) diagnosis and management 

• Evaluation of a joint pain, bursitis, tendonitis or joint swelling ("my knee hurts"). If you don’t need surgery, a Rheumatologist may be a great alternative to seeing a surgeon. 

• Vasculitis (autoimmune disease affecting blood vessels)

Our Rheumatologists at Heritage Medical Associates offer the following specialized services:

• Once yearly IV infusion treatments for osteoporosis 

• Optimal non-surgical treatment for knee arthritis, shoulder pain, hand pain, hip pain and carpal tunnel syndrome 

• Joint injections with corticosteroids or viscoelastic supplements (synvisc/euflexxa/supartz…)

• Musculoskeletal ultrasound for diagnosis of joint symptoms and needle guidance of joint injections (more accuracy and less painful) 

• In-office IV infusion treatments for Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Vasculitis

Check with your doctor to see if an Evaluation by a Rheumatologist is right for you.