Rheumatology is the medical specialty dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of medical disorders involving the musculoskeletal system. While rheumatologists do not perform surgery, they are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as:

Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is the most crippling form of arthritis and affects approximately 2.1 million Americans. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder, which means the body's immune system attacks its own healthy cells and tissues. The response of the body causes inflammation in and around the joints, leading to enlarged and deformed joints. The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not known though researchers believe heredity may contribute to the onset of the disease.

Juvenile Inflammatory Arthritis
A form of arthritis in children ages 16 or younger that causes inflammation of joints and can also affect bone development in the growing child.

Fibromyalgia
A syndrome consisting of chronic, widespread muscle pain throughout the body.

Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It is a chronic disease involving the joints, particularly the weight-bearing joints such as the knee, hip, and spine. It is characterized by the following:

• destruction of cartilage
• overgrowth of bone
• spur formation
• impaired function

It occurs in most people as they age, but also may occur in young people as a result of injury or overuse of joints.

Scleroderma
Scleroderma is a condition where excessive collagen deposits in various organs of the body including the skin, lungs, and blood vessels. Manifestations can include skin thickening, difficulty swallowing, Raynauds, and shortness of breath.

Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis, or porous bone, is a disease in which there is a loss of bone mass and destruction of bone tissue. This process causes weakening of the bones and makes them more likely to break. The bones most often affected are the hips, spine, and wrists.

Gout
Gout is characterized by inflamed joints due to the formation of uric acid crystal deposits in the joints. Gout affects more men than women.

Spinal Stenosis
Spinal Stenosis, a painful condition of the back or spine, is the narrowing of the spinal canal.

Spondylitis
An inflammatory disease that affects the spine as well as peripheral joints.

Lupus
An autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of the joints, tendons, and organs, including the heart, lungs, blood vessels, brain, kidneys and skin.

Tendonitis
Tendonitis is an inflammation of a tendon, the tough cord of tissue that connects muscles to bones.

Bursitis
The inflammation of a closed, fluid-filled sac that functions as a cushion and gliding surface to reduce friction between tissues of the body.

Lyme Disease
A multi-stage, multi-system bacterial infection caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, a spiral shaped bacterium that is transmitted by a tick bite.

Vasculitis
Vasculitis refers to a group of diseases where inflammation of blood vessels can result in different manifestations. Depending on the specific type of vasculitis, patients might experience rash, lung disease, kidney disease, fever, or neurologic disorders.
 
Myositis
Myositis refers to a group of inflammatory disorders where the body’s immune system attacks muscle tissue. This results in destruction of the muscle and eventual weakness. One type of myositis is associated with certain types of rash.