Rheumatology is the medical specialty dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases. Rheumatic diseases are a broad group of conditions that primarily affect the musculoskeletal system, including the joints, muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments. However, some rheumatic diseases can also affect internal organs such as the kidneys, lungs, blood vessels and brain. A rheumatologist diagnoses, treats and manages rheumatic diseases, including arthritis and other related conditions. Once a diagnosis has been made, the specialist may prescribe specific medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs or biologic therapies. The primary goal is to improve the quality of life of patients living with these conditions.
What is it?
What conditions does a rheumatologist treat?
A rheumatologist treats a wide range of conditions, including:
- Inflammatory rheumatic diseases and rheumatoid arthritis
- Connective tissue diseases
- Arthritis caused by infectious agents, such as Lyme disease
- Gout
- Spondyloarthropathies
- Degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Bursitis
- Periarthritis
- Osteoporosis
The rheumatologist provides comprehensive and personalised care for patients with rheumatic diseases, working to optimise their quality of life and long-term wellbeing.
What are the most commonly used procedures in rheumatology?
A rheumatologist uses a combination of a thorough medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests and imaging to determine the cause of symptoms and plan an appropriate treatment. Treatment may include medication, injection therapies, physical therapy and rehabilitation, as well as consultations with other specialists when necessary.
A rheumatologist may prescribe medication and recommend rest, appropriate physical activity, a balanced diet, stress-reduction techniques, adequate sun protection and, when necessary, surgery.
At our Corilab Medical Centre, we have a dedicated rheumatology department with a rheumatologist available for consultations.
Our goal is to ensure the highest standards of reliability from diagnosis through to treatment.
How does a rheumatology consultation work?
During a rheumatology consultation, the doctor will assess the patient’s condition. The consultation generally involves the following:
- Medical history: The rheumatologist begins by asking a series of questions to gather information about the patient’s medical history, including current symptoms, their duration and severity, as well as any risk factors or pre-existing conditions. It is important to provide the doctor with an accurate description of the symptoms, including any factors that may improve or worsen them.
- Physical examination: The doctor performs a comprehensive physical examination to assess the joints, muscles and connective tissues. During the examination, the rheumatologist may check the appearance and mobility of the joints, look for signs of inflammation or swelling, assess muscle strength and look for signs of other related conditions.
- Laboratory tests: The rheumatologist may request laboratory tests such as the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or C-reactive protein (CRP), tests for specific autoimmune markers such as antinuclear antibodies (ANA), and tests to identify specific conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
- Imaging: Depending on the symptoms and suspected conditions, the doctor may request imaging tests such as X-rays, ultrasound scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans to obtain more detailed images of the joints, muscles and soft tissues.
- Discussion and treatment planning: Once the medical history, physical examination and any laboratory or imaging tests have been completed, the rheumatologist will discuss the findings and diagnosis with the patient. Treatment options will be considered, including medication, injection therapies, physical and rehabilitative therapies, as well as referral to other specialists when necessary.
Throughout the consultation, it is important to ask questions and communicate openly with the rheumatologist in order to gain a clear understanding of the condition and the available treatment options.
When should you make an appointment with a rheumatologist?
Early diagnosis of a rheumatic disease can help minimise its long-term complications. For this reason, it is important to schedule a rheumatology consultation if you experience:
Joint swelling.
Weakness.
Headaches (possibly accompanied by vision problems) or fever associated with an elevated ESR.
White or blue fingers, especially if associated with ulcers.
Swelling and tightness of the skin on the hands and feet.
Skin rashes associated with joint pain or fever.
Morning stiffness or back pain that is worse in the morning and improves with physical activity.
A rheumatologist can assess these symptoms, provide an accurate diagnosis and recommend the most appropriate treatment.
Dr Palmieri, Rheumatologist, sees patients at our medical centre on the following days and times:
Wednesdays from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Fridays from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Contatti
Via Duca d’Aosta, 8 - 00044 Frascati (Roma)
Tel.: 06-942 21 50 – 06-942 25 20
Email: info@corilab.it
P.I. 01263161000
C.F. 03934400585
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