When You Should See Us
When should you see a rheumatologist?
A rheumatologist is a specialist physician trained and experienced in the diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of arthritis and other diseases of the joints, muscles, and bones, as well as many types of autoimmune diseases.
Rheumatologists treat arthritis, certain autoimmune diseases, musculoskeletal pain disorders, and osteoporosis. There are more than 100 types of these diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, lupus, scleroderma, polymyositis, osteoporosis, and tendonitis. Some of these are very serious diseases that can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
Many types of rheumatologic diseases are not easily identified in the early stages. Rheumatologists are specially trained to do the detective work necessary to discover the cause of joint swelling and pain. It is important to determine a correct diagnosis early so that appropriate treatment can begin early especially as some musculoskeletal disorders respond best to treatment in their early stages.
Because some rheumatic diseases are complex, one visit to a rheumatologist may not be enough to determine a diagnosis and course of treatment. These diseases often change or evolve over time. Rheumatologists work closely with patients to identify the problem and design an individualized treatment program. In addition, Rheumatologists work closely with other physicians, often acting as consultants to advise other physicians about a specific diagnoses and treatment plans for particular Rheumatologic Diseases.
Emergency Visits
Any sort of pain is a reason for an emergency visit to our office. In this event, it is best to call and we will find an efficient way to fit you into our schedule. If you have an emergency when our office is closed, please leave a message with our answering service explaining the nature of your emergency. There is always a doctor on call.
Extreme Emergencies
If you feel that you are in any type of immediate danger, you should call 911 and/or check into an emergency room at your local hospital. If you have a choice and believe that you may want a visit from one of our physicians, it is best to check into either the Princeton Medical Center or the Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center in Hamilton where we have attending privileges.