Relieving Joint Pain and Treating Autoimmune Conditions
If you have persistent joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, or a skin rash that just won’t go away, you may have a musculoskeletal or autoimmune condition that can be treated by a rheumatologist.
A rheumatologist is a specially trained physician who treats autoimmune conditions that affect the joints, tendons, ligaments, bones, muscles, and blood vessels. An autoimmune disease occurs when the body’s natural defenses mistakenly attack healthy tissue. Common symptoms of an autoimmune disorder include fatigue, joint pain and swelling, skin problems, abnormal pain, and recurring fever.
Our rheumatology team provides comprehensive care of conditions including:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Gout (crystal arthropathy)
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Lupus
- Myositis
- Sjogren’s Syndrome
- Scleroderma
- Vasculitis
- Osteoporosis
- Sarcoidosis
Personalized Treatment
Rheumatic diseases can be difficult to diagnose because their symptoms, like back or joint pain, may be easily attributed to other conditions.
Your rheumatologist will review your medical and family history and perform a physical exam to look for signs of inflammation in your body. You will undergo laboratory tests to determine the level of inflammation in your bloodstream, as well as imaging tests to look for joint damage.
Following your diagnosis, your rheumatologist will develop a personalized treatment plan. This may include:
- Medications to control autoimmunity (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs)
- Injections to reduce joint inflammation
- Pain relievers
- Physical or occupational therapy
- Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight
To make an appointment with a Virtua rheumatologist, call 888-847-8823.
