Rheumatologists – Rheumatologists specialize in musculoskeletal diseases and autoimmune conditions. They treat all types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. If there's a chance you have something other than osteoarthritis, you will be sent to a rheumatologist.

When should you see a rheumatologist for osteoarthritis?

1 As the patient, you may want to a rheumatologist if: Your pain is unrelenting. Your symptoms are persistent or worsening despite treatment. Your healthcare provider is unable to diagnose the underlying cause.

Is osteoarthritis considered a rheumatic disease?

While rheumatologists do treat the most common type of arthritis — osteoarthritis — it isn't considered a rheumatic disease. That's because osteoarthritis is caused by the natural wearing down of cartilage and bone around joints as opposed to inflammation.

Is osteoarthritis a autoimmune disease?

Osteoarthritis is not an autoimmune disease, and although the exact causes are not known, multiple risk factors have been identified. In a healthy joint, cartilage provides cushioning and a smooth joint surface for motion.

How do I know if I have osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis?

The main difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis is the cause behind the joint symptoms. Osteoarthritis is caused by mechanical wear and tear on joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body's own immune system attacks the body's joints. It may begin any time in life.

Understanding Treatment Options for Osteoarthritis (OA) | Johns Hopkins Rheumatology

41 related questions found

Does osteoarthritis hurt all the time?

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that worsens over time, often resulting in chronic pain. Joint pain and stiffness can become severe enough to make daily tasks difficult.

Can Rheumatoid Arthritis be misdiagnosed as osteoarthritis?

RA, an inflammatory type of arthritis, is often as misdiagnosed as osteoarthritis, a degenerative form of arthritis. “Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, so if someone has a lot of joint pain or enlargement of a joint, osteoarthritis is often the go-to diagnosis,” Dr. Shmerling says.

Does osteoarthritis show up in blood work?

There is no blood test for the diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Blood tests are performed to exclude diseases that can cause secondary osteoarthritis, as well as to exclude other arthritis conditions that can mimic osteoarthritis. X-rays of the affected joints are the main way osteoarthritis is identified.

Is osteoarthritis a progressive condition?

Osteoarthritis is a chronic and progressive disease characterized by loss of the cartilage that covers and protects the ends of the bones where they meet at a joint. Without this protective coating, bone rubs against bone, causing irritation and inflammation.

Is rheumatoid arthritis worse than osteoarthritis?

They're often more severe than with osteoarthritis. The most common include: Pain, stiffness, and swelling in your hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees, ankles, feet, jaw, and neck. Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects multiple joints.

What autoimmune disease does a rheumatologist treat?

Rheumatologists evaluate and treat autoimmune, inflammatory or other musculoskeletal conditions like: Rheumatoid arthritis. Systemic lupus erythematosus. Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)

What diseases do rheumatologists diagnose?

What Conditions Does a Rheumatologist Treat?

• Osteoarthritis.
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Psoriatic arthritis.
• Reactive arthritis.
• Lupus.
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
• Polymyalgia Rheumatica.
• Gout.

What diseases do rheumatologists treat?

What do rheumatologists treat?

• osteoarthritis.
• rheumatoid arthritis.
• musculoskeletal pain disorders.
• osteoporosis.
• gout.
• back pain.

What is the new treatment for osteoarthritis?

A recent discovery has been made in the field OA treatment that may allow those who experience related pain symptoms to gain greater mobility in their joints. Chondroitin sulfate was found to significantly reduce pain and improve hand mobility in osteoarthritis patients.

What are the 4 stages of osteoarthritis?

The four stages of osteoarthritis are:

• Stage 1 – Minor. Minor wear-and-tear in the joints. Little to no pain in the affected area.
• Stage 2 – Mild. More noticeable bone spurs. ...
• Stage 3 – Moderate. Cartilage in the affected area begins to erode. ...
• Stage 4 – Severe. The patient is in a lot of pain.

What is the best doctor for osteoarthritis?

Orthopedists are surgeons who address bone and joint diseases and injuries, such as arthritis, osteoarthritis, and body trauma.

What happens if osteoarthritis is left untreated?

If left untreated, it'll get worse with time. Although death from OA is rare, it's a significant cause of disability among adults. It's important to talk to your doctor if OA is impacting your quality of life. Surgery to replace joints may be an option, as well as pain medication and lifestyle changes.

What causes osteoarthritis flare ups?

The most common triggers of an OA flare are overdoing an activity or trauma to the joint. Other triggers can include bone spurs, stress, repetitive motions, cold weather, a change in barometric pressure, an infection or weight gain. Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory disease that affects the skin and joints.

Does osteoarthritis qualify for disability?

If you have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis and it has impacted your ability to work, you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. Osteoarthritis results in the gradual loss of cartilage from your joints. A tough tissue that provides the cushioning between the bones that form the joints, it is needed.

What is best painkiller for osteoarthritis?

NSAIDs are the most effective oral medicines for OA. They include ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) naproxen (Aleve) and diclofenac (Voltaren, others). All work by blocking enzymes that cause pain and swelling.

What is the drug of choice for osteoarthritis?

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) treat pain. They also help to prevent painful inflammation and joint damage. They're the top choice of treatment for OA because they're effective and nonsedating.

Will osteoarthritis show up on xray?

Specifically, an X-ray of a joint with osteoarthritis will show a narrowing of the space between the bones of the joint where the cartilage has worn away, as shown in the image below. Anteroposterior (front to back) X-ray image of the knee showing osteoarthritis.

What diseases can mimic osteoarthritis?

Diseases That Mimic Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Osteoarthritis.
• Psoriatic Arthritis.
• Viral Arthritis.
• Lyme Disease.
• Fibromyalgia.
• Lupus and Scleroderma.
• Gout.
• Reactive Arthritis.

Can an xray show the difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis?

X-rays are a helpful tool for figuring out joint pain. Joints in RA look different than joints in OA. For example, there's less space between the bones in OA, and there is more bone erosion in RA. That said, X-rays can be normal in either disease if it's early.

What disease is similar to osteoarthritis?

Several other diseases have symptoms similar to osteoarthritis (OA).
...
They include:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease that can cause pain in the joints. ...
• Lupus, an autoimmune disease like RA, that causes inflammation in the joints, as well as in the tendons, skin and other connective tissues.