Who is a Rheumatologist ? A Rheumatologist is a physician who has received further training in diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal diseases and systemic autoimmune conditions commonly referred to as rheumatic diseases. Many types of rheumatic diseases are not easily identified in the early stages, a Rheumatologist is specially trained to do the detective work necessary to discover the cause of swelling and pain. It is important to determine a correct diagnosis early so that appropriate treatment can begin early. Remember early treatment can prevent deformities and save you from disability. Diseases diagnosed and managed by rheumatologist include : Degenerative arthropathies Osteoarthritis Inflammatory arthropathies Rheumatoid arthritis Spondyloarthropathies Ankylosing spondylitis Reactive arthritis Psoriatic arthritis Enteropathic arthritis Juvenile idiopathic arthritis Crystal arthropathies : Gout Pseudogout Septic arthritis Soft tissue rheumatism Low back pain Tennis elbow Golfer’s elbow Olecranon bursitis Connective tissue diseases Lupus Sjogren’s syndrome Scleroderma Polymyositis Polymyalgia rheumatica Mixed connective tissue diseases Fibromyalgia Vasculitis