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Rheumatology
Marc R. Chevrier, M.D.
Rheumatology is a specialized branch of medicine that involves the non-surgical treatment of a variety of disorders of the body, marker by inflammation, degenerative or metabolic derangement of the connective tissue structures, especially the joints and related structures, including muscles, bursae, tendons and fibrous tissue. Attendant symptoms are pain, stiffness or limitation of motion of the afflicted parts. In its infancy, this was primarily rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatic fever, hence the name - rheumatology.
Now, Rheumatologists are the primary non-surgical physicians treating many types of arthritis and connective tissue related diseases. In addition, they are often the major provider of care for metabolic bone diseases such as osteoporosis and Paget's Disease. "Rheumatology" - pronounced room-a-tol-ogy from the Greek word rheuma,-atos meaning flux or stream.
Conditions that a rheumatologist may treat include:
Arthritis
Osteoporosis/Non-operative Back Pain
Tendonitis/Bursitis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Gout
Lupus (includes chronic inflammatory disorders of connective tissue and joints)
Lyme Disease (symptoms include myalgia and arthritis of the large joints)
Paget's Disease (includes osteitis degormans, a disease resulting in weakened deformed bones of increased mass)
Procedures that may be done include:
Bone Density Test (DEXA)
Injection of special medications
Injections of a joint, bursa or tendon
Education and Training:
College
Medical School
Specialized In-Hospital Training
Rheumatology Fellowship
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4 years
4 years
4-5 years
3 years
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Who Refers Patients to Rheumatologists:
Family physicians, other medical specialists, injured worker's organizations, vocational counselors, insurance companies, rehabilitation nurses and social workers. |
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