Best Online Doctors for Rheumatology (20 doctors)

A rheumatologist is a doctor who specialises in diagnosing and treating diseases that affect the joints, muscles, and bones, particularly those related to autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. They manage conditions like arthritis, lupus, and other systemic diseases that involve joint and connective tissue inflammation.

Rheumatologists treat a wide range of conditions, including various types of arthritis (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis), autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, scleroderma), and musculoskeletal disorders. They also manage conditions like gout, ankylosing spondylitis, and fibromyalgia.

 Rheumatologists specialise in the medical treatment of autoimmune diseases and inflammatory conditions that affect joints and connective tissues. Orthopaedic doctors focus on the surgical and non-surgical treatment of bones, muscles, and joints, especially in the context of injuries and structural issues.

No, rheumatologists typically do not treat bone cancer. Bone cancer is usually managed by oncologists, including orthopaedic oncologists, who specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of bone cancers.

Rheumatologists diagnose autoimmune diseases through a combination of patient history, physical examination, blood tests (such as ANA or rheumatoid factor), and imaging studies. These tests help identify the presence of inflammation or immune system abnormalities.

 Rheumatologists treat a variety of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, vasculitis, scleroderma, and psoriatic arthritis. They manage conditionswhere the immune system attacks healthy tissues, often causing inflammation in joints, muscles, and organs.where the immune system attacks healthy tissues, often causing inflammation in joints, muscles, and organs.

No, a rheumatologist is not a surgeon. Rheumatologists focus on diagnosing and managing diseases through medical treatment such as medications, while surgeons, including orthopaedic surgeons, perform surgical interventions.

 Rheumatologists treat many types of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, ankylosing spondylitis, and juvenile arthritis. These conditions involve inflammation in the joints, causing pain, stiffness, and sometimes deformities.

 Yes, some rheumatologists specialise in pediatric rheumatology and treat children with inflammatory conditions, autoimmune diseases, and childhood arthritis. They manage conditions like juvenile idiopathic arthritis and lupus in children.

 An orthopaedic specialist is often the best doctor for issues related to bones and joints, particularly if surgery or structural problems are involved. However, for inflammatory or autoimmune-related joint and connective tissue issues, a rheumatologist is more appropriate.

Rheumatoid arthritis is considered one of the most serious types of arthritis due to its autoimmune nature, where the immune system attacks the joints, leading to severe pain, joint destruction, and disability if not properly managed.

 Rheumatologists often perform blood tests to diagnose autoimmune diseases and inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-nuclear antibody (ANA), anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). These tests help assess inflammation levels and detect specific autoantibodies related to autoimmune diseases.