what is a rheumatologist doctor

A rheumatologist is a doctor with specialized training in inflammatory (rheumatic) disease. They are internal medicine physicians with subspecialized training in rheumatology, which deals with musculoskeletal conditions, as well as autoimmune and inflammatory conditions in people of all ages. Rheumatologists diagnose, treat, and manage a broad range of conditions, including inflammatory (rheumatic) disorders that affect muscles, joints, and bones, connective tissue diseases that affect supporting structures like ligaments and tendons, and may involve the skin and other organs. They consider every organ system when looking for the cause of symptoms. While both rheumatologists and orthopedists help diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions, rheumatologists have specialized training in musculoskeletal conditions of an inflammatory and autoimmune etiology. Rheumatologists treat many rare diseases that are difficult to diagnose, and they often act as detectives to help put together the pieces of a complex puzzle of symptoms and lab tests. Some common reasons to see a rheumatologist include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, osteoarthritis, gout, tendonitis, fibromyalgia, psoriatic arthritis, back pain, scleroderma, reactive arthritis, and myositis.