What is Rheumatology?
Rheumatology is a subspecialty of internal medicine. It is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory diseases. Rheumatologists deal with inherited connective tissue disorders, vasculitis, and clinical problems of the joints and soft tissues.
Baptist Health has partnered with UAB to bring the highest level of care to Central Alabama and the River Region. The UAB Multispecialty Clinic at Baptist Medical Center South joins nurses and staff from Baptist South with specially trained doctors from UAB to offer advanced care in many specialties, including rheumatology.
The UAB Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology has been listed as one of the best clinical rheumatology programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report for 19 consecutive years. As one of the largest academic rheumatology programs in the nation, the division’s clinical program registers over 10,000 patient encounters annually, evaluating and treating patients with various forms of connective tissue diseases.
What is a Rheumatologist?
According to the American College of Rheumatology, "A rheumatologist is an internist or pediatrician who received further training in the diagnosis (detection) and treatment of musculoskeletal disease and systemic autoimmune conditions commonly referred to as rheumatic diseases. These diseases can affect the joints, muscles, and bones causing pain, swelling, stiffness, and deformity.
Autoimmune conditions occur when the immune system sends inflammation to areas of the body when it is not needed causing damage/symptoms. These diseases can also affect the eyes, skin, nervous system, and internal organs. Rheumatologists treat joint disease similar to orthopedists but do not perform surgeries. Common diseases treated by rheumatologists include osteoarthritis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic back pain, tendinitis, and lupus."
Along with general rheumatology medicine, UAB rheumatologists provide specialized interest in the following procedures and treatments:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Gout
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Lupus
- Scleroderma
- Vasculitis
- Osteoporosis
- Bursitis
- Tendonitis