Rheumatology is the study of diseases affecting the body’s joints and their associated tissues, including the bones, muscles, tendons, cartilage, and ligaments. Such diseases are called rheumatic diseases. Doctors who specialize in the care of patients with rheumatic diseases are called rheumatologists.
Diseases most commonly treated by rheumatologists include various forms of arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and disorders of the body’s connective tissues, such as scleroderma and systemic lupus erythematosus. Rheumatologists also care for patients with general back pain and aching muscles, bones, and joints. In addition, other doctors often consult rheumatologists for help in treating patients with nonrheumatic diseases that involve the joints, muscles, and bones. Rheumatologists do not perform surgery, but they often work closely with orthopedic surgeons and specialists in rehabilitation medicine.
To become a certified rheumatologist in the United States, a doctor must study rheumatology for two to three years after completing medical school and residency training. The doctor must then pass a series of examinations conducted by an authorized medical board.
Research in rheumatology often involves specialists from other fields, such as biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, immunology, and molecular biology. Some researchers search for the causes and cures of rheumatic diseases, and others study how a rheumatic disease progresses.
