1. Who is a Rheumatologist

A Rheumatologist is a qualified physician, with an additional training and experience in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis and related musculoskeletal conditions.

You can also refer to my earlier post “Who is a Rheumatologist?” for a detail description.

2. What is arthritis?

Arthritis means inflammation (pain, swelling) of the joint.

3. How do you know whether you have arthritis?

Arthritis patients will experience the following symptoms: pain and swelling of one or more joints, feel stiffness in the joints – more in the morning, redness and warmth of the affected joints, recurring pain and tenderness in the joints.

4. Is it seen only in elderly people?

No, that is a misconception. Arthritis can affect any age group. But osteoarthritis (wear and tear arthritis) usually affects old people but can occur earlier in people with history of joint injuries & in those with hypermobile joints & obesity.

5. Is arthritis more common in women?

Yes, arthritis generally is more common in women than men. Rheumatoid arthritis is 3 times more common in women. However, Ankylosing spondylitis presenting with severe early morning stiffness is found more commonly in male population.

6. What is osteoarthritis?

It is a wear and tear arthritis affecting mainly weight bearing joints( e g Knee) seen in old people  but can occur earlier in people with history of joint injuries & in those with hypermobile joints & obesity.

7. What are the risk factors for osteoarthritis?

Obesity, repetitive kneeling, bending and squatting & hypermobilty of the joints increase the risk of osteoarthritis (OA).

8. Do you recommend any special diet for arthritis?

No special diet is required for arthritis patients except Gout where low purine diet and limiting the alcohol are important. In patients who are obese, reduction of weight with low calory diet is advisable.

9. Will exercise help my joints?

Yes, it helps to reduce the pain and stiffness in the joints. Exercise also helps in increasing the flexibility, range of movement and strengthening the muscles around the joint. However, patients with deformities of the joints, should consult a Rheumatologist about the type of exercise.

10. What is the difference between a Rheumatologist and an Orthopedic Surgeon?

It is simple. All medically related joint disorders are dealt by a Rheumatologist. When the joints are badly damaged or when there are fractures and when surgery of some sort is contemplated, then you need to consult an orthopedic surgeon or you will be referred for the same.

11. What do Rheumatologists treat?

Rheumatologists are specially trained to deal with more than 100 different arthritic conditions, autoimmune disorders, metabolic bone diseases (osteoporosis) and soft tissue rheumatic conditions encompassing all condition in layman term, Bai / rheumatism. In other words, Rheumatologists treat all patients presenting with musculoskeletal complaints who do not require to undergo surgery. He also treats many other conditions which are caused by autoimmunity like SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus), various types of vasculitides, like Wegener’s granulomatosus & periarteritis nodosa, these conditions may not present with joint pains but with prolonged fever & skin rashes and can be very serious if not treated in time.

12. What are the Rheumatological conditions in general population?

The rheumatological conditions treated by a Rheumatologist are Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, SLE(Lupus), Gout, Scleroderma, MCTD, Polymyositis, Dermatomyositis, Polymyalgia Rheumatica, Giant cell arteritis, Osteoporosis, Osteomalacia, Rickets, Renal Tubular Acidosis, Takayasu’s, Wegener’s, Churg-strauss, Polyarteritis nodosa, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Reactive Arthritis, Enteropathic Arthritis, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing spondtlitis, Fibromyalgia, Tendinitis and bursitis.

You can also refer to my earlier post “Who is a Rheumatologist?” for a detailed list.

13. What are the commonly used drugs in the treatment of arthritis?

NSAIDs (Brufen,aceclofenac, etoricoxib), Methotrexate, Hydroxychloroquine, Sulafasalazine, Leflunomide, Cyclophosphamide, Azathioprine, Cyclosporine, Steroids, Allopurinol, Colchicine. Various biologics have become available now to control inflammation in resistant cases, but are exorbitantly costly and everybody can not afford them.

14. How can a Rheumatologist help you?

A Rheumatologist helps in

1. Making the correct diagnosis

2. In treating/ eliminating/ controlling the condition to the best possible extent.

3. Assessing whether a surgery or joint replacement is needed.

Hope these answers help you. In case you have any other questions, please ask me. I will add them to my FAQs list for the future.

Stay Healthy