Basics of Rheumatology
The human loco-motor system involves the joints, muscles, connective tissues, soft tissues that surround joints and bones. Rheumatology is the medical examination, diagnosis and treatment of the variety of diseases that deal with any part of the loco-motor system.
The diseases or ailments associated with the field of rheumatology vary in type and severity.
The more common rheumatic diseases include:
- Gout
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Polymyalgia rheumatica
- Temporal arteritis
Some less common rheumatic conditions are:
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Spondyloarthropathies
- Lupus
- Scleroderma
- Myositis
- Raynaud's Phenomenon
- Sjogren's Syndrome
- Vasculitis
Musculoskeletal conditions are also treated in rheumatology:
- Bursitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Tendonitis
Different types of examinations or medical procedures are typically used to diagnose and treat a rheumatic disease:
- Multiple joint examinations
- Musculoskeletal examinations
- Schober's test: The physician will mark the patient's back at his spine located at the fifth lumbar vertebrae (L5). The physician will then place one finger each on varying locations along the patient's spine at 5 or 10 cm intervals from the L5 and the patient will proceed to touch his toes. By feeling and measuring the distance that his fingers travel as the patient's back bends, he is able to determine the amount of flex in the patient's spine.
- Lab tests
- X-rays
- Ultrasounds
- Joint fluid pathology
Because gout is a condition in which joints become inflamed it causes significant pain and swelling in the patient. It is most commonly treated with medicine to ease the swelling. However, the other more common rheumatic diseases such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can be treated both with medicine or with non-drug therapies such as physical therapy, occupation therapy and behavior modification. Oftentimes, a combination of drug and non-drug therapies is necessary depending on the severity level of the pain and inflammation.