Arthritis is an umbrella term used to describe over 100 medical conditions and diseases, known as rheumatic diseases.
Rheumatologists are physicians who are specifically trained to treat rheumatic diseases, and seeing a rheumatologist early after diagnosis of arthritis is your best defense against this disease.
The American College of Rheumatology is committed to helping its members (rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals) provide the best quality of care for their patients. The College has pulled together the following resources regarding rheumatic diseases to help you as you navigate your treatment and life after diagnosis.
Disease Fact Sheets | Treatments | Who Treats Arthritis? | Should I See a Rheumatologist? | Rheumatic Disease and Your Life | What Resources Can Help Me? |
Patient Education – Diseases and Conditions
The ACR and the ARHP have prepared information for patients about 30 rheumatic diseases and 12 rheumatic conditions, about the rheumatology health professional team members who treat patients with arthritis.
Treatments
The best information you can get regarding treatment for rheumatic diseases is from your rheumatologist. The ACR and the ARHP have prepared information on several common medications used to treat rheumatic diseases.
Who Treats Arthritis?
Rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals lead the multidisciplinary team that treats arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.
A rheumatologist is an internist or pediatrician who is qualified by additional training and experience in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis and other diseases of the joints, muscles and bones.
The role of the rheumatologist is to diagnose, treat, and medically manage individuals with rheumatic disorders – many of which are often complex. Rheumatologists interact with patients and their families as a resource for health information and as a collaborator with other health care providers. In addition, many rheumatologists conduct research to determine the cause and better treatments for these disabling and sometimes fatal diseases.
If you are interested in speaking with a rheumatologist about the treatment options for arthritis and other rheumatic diseases, click here. Learn more about rheumatology health professionals and the role they play in treating arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.
Should I See a Rheumatologist?
If musculoskeletal pains are not severe or disabling and last just a few days, it makes sense to give the problem a reasonable chance to be resolved. But sometimes, pain in the joints, muscles or bones is severe or persists for more than a few days. At that point, you should see your physician.
Many types of rheumatic diseases are not easily identified in the early stages. Rheumatologists are specially trained to do the detective work necessary to discover the cause of swelling and pain. It’s important to determine a correct diagnosis early so that appropriate treatment can begin early. Some musculoskeletal disorders respond best to treatment in the early stages of the disease.
Because some rheumatic diseases are complex, one visit to a rheumatologist may not be enough to determine a diagnosis and course of treatment. These diseases often change or evolve over time. Rheumatologists work closely with patients to identify the problem and design an individualized treatment program.
Rheumatic Disease and Your Life
Arthritis, and other rheumatic diseases, can affect several different areas of your life. Learning more about this will only arm you with the information to lead a healthier, happier, more fulfilled life.
The Immune System and Its Link to Rheumatic Diseases
The Immune System and Its Link to Rheumatic Diseases Fact Sheet
Our immune system is an amazing network of cells that function from very basic to highly complex levels. The purpose of this system is to protect us from our environment and watch for any early damage in our own cells. Sometimes, however, the system goes awry and misreads signals. As a result, our defenses do not recognize our own body at work, and begin “attacking” cells. This leads to illnesses called autoimmune (self-immune) diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation of the joints), systemic lupus erythematosus (commonly known as “lupus,” an inflammatory disease of connective tissue), and vasculitis (inflammation of a vessel of the body).
Pregnancy & Rheumatic Disease
Pregnancy & Rheumatic Disease Fact Sheet
For years, women with potentially serious systemic autoimmune diseases have been advised against getting pregnant. We now know that, with careful medical and obstetric management, most of these women can have successful pregnancies. Learn how pregnancy may affect your lupus.
Heredity & Arthritis
Heredity & Arthritis Fact Sheet
Like every human disease, the many forms of arthritis or rheumatic diseases, have genetic components. Each one, however, has its own unique degree and pattern of heredity, as well as different genes which influence not only susceptibility to but also severity of the disease.
Sex & Arthritis
Sexuality is an integral part of being human. It is linked to our quality of life and self-identity. Yet, living with the pain, stiffness, fatigue, limited movement, decreased strength and depression associated with arthritis can reduce our ability for sexual expression and enjoyment.
Living Well With a Rheumatic Disease
Living Well With a Rheumatic Disease Fact Sheet
If you were recently diagnosed with arthritis or one of the other rheumatic diseases, you may be feeling anxious, even a little overwhelmed. This is a natural response to an unexpected bend in the road. But how do you handle your very real concerns? By knowing the facts.
Arthritis In Children
Arthritis In Children Fact Sheet
Growing up with arthritis can be challenging. However, with care from a team of rheumatology professionals, most children with arthritis live full and active lives. There are various types of childhood arthritis, which can last from several months to many years. In every instance, early diagnosis and treatment can help avoid joint damage.
What Resources Can Help Me?
The ACR has compiled a list of assistance programs for certain rheumatology-related drugs. In addition, we have provided a collection of links to additional information about programs through other sources.
How Can I Become Involved in the Rheumatology Community?
ACR Research and Education Foundation
The ACR Research and Education Foundation is committed to funding rheumatology training and research programs that are vital to improved care of for the one in three American adults suffering from arthritis and rheumatic disease.
As the REF continues to strive towards a brighter future for rheumatology, we count on continued generosity from our supporters. No other organization is better equipped to help meet the demand for better patient care today while advancing the course of research that will yield tomorrow’s medical breakthroughs.
Learn more about the Foundation and how you can help.
Consider a Career in Rheumatology
Rheumatology is a highly desirable career option for several reasons, including:
- The field is on the "cutting edge" of discovery and practice. Newer biologic therapies have revolutionized the care of patients with systemic inflammatory disorders.
- Rheumatologists are experts in a field ranging from very interesting and complicated multisystem disease processes to very common conditions.
- Rheumatologists are able to establish long-lasting relationships with their patients.
- Rheumatologists are able to have a meaningful impact on quality-of-life issues for their patients.
- Rheumatologists are able to achieve an excellent quality of life for themselves and their families. Practices are tailored to lifestyle choices and rheumatologists have fewer emergencies in their field compared to many others.
- Practice options abound – as rheumatologists’ knowledge and treatment options expand, and as the population ages, they are in demand.
Learn more about a career in rheumatology.
Learn About the Legislation Affecting People with Arthritis
As a patient, it is important to be aware of the legislation that may impact your treatment, and it is equally important that you speak out on your behalf. Learn more about the current issues impacting the rheumatology community and the care you receive.
Become Involved with the Arthritis Foundation
There are many ways you can become involved with the Arthritis Foundation. Membership, events and educational opportunities will allow you to engage with a community of people committed to fighting arthritis. Visit www.arthritis.org for more information.
Five Myths About Arthritis
Myth: |
Arthritis is an older person’s disease. |
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Truth: |
Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases do not discriminate based on age. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis, affecting more than 1.3 million Americans. RA most often begins between the fourth and sixth decades of life. However, RA can develop at any age. Additionally, about one child in every 1,000 develops some type of juvenile arthritis. These disorders can affect children at any age, although rarely in the first six months of life. It is estimated that around 300,000 children in the U.S. have been diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. |
Myth: |
Arthritis is an inevitable part of life, so you just have to deal with it. |
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Truth: |
Aches and pains are an inevitable part of life. But, sometimes, pain in the joints, muscles or bones is severe or persists for more than a few days. At that point, you should see your physician and seek referral to a rheumatologist. Living your life with prolonged stiffness and pain isn’t something you should deal with on your own. Rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals are trained to help you not only find a way to live with arthritis and other rheumatic diseases, but many treatments offered by rheumatologists can even stop certain diseases and conditions in their tracks. |
Myth: |
Arthritis has less of an impact than other diseases. |
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Truth: |
In the United States alone there are 46 million adults and 300,000 children with arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. |
Myth: |
Any doctor can treat my arthritis. |
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Truth: |
While primary care physicians are an important part of the multidisciplinary approach to treating any disease, you may need to see a rheumatologist, who is a physician who specialize in treating arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. If a person were to have a form of cancer, he or she would see an oncologist. If a child were to suffer from diabetes, he or she would be taken to an endocrinologist. Just as you would reach out to a specialist for these types of diseases, you should turn to rheumatologists as your lead physician to treat arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. Rheumatologists will work with you and your primary care physician to ensure that you are receiving the best possible treatment. |
Myth: |
My weight has no impact on my arthritis. |
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Truth: |
Some studies show that even a small amount of weight loss can help ease arthritis pain – particularly in the knees and hips. Treating rheumatic diseases is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Each condition requires a specific multidisciplinary treatment that may include diet, exercise, medication, or even behavioral changes. |
