What is the difference between rheumatology and orthopedics

Memorial Campus Belmont Street. In this Section. Do you need to see an orthopedic physician or a rheumatologist? Make an Appointment umass-md. Book Online Select Providers.

Find a Doctor. Sign up today for our e-newsletter. Find a orthopedic specialist. Your joint never felt quite the same after that one injury… now you live with constant, nagging pain. Before you book an appointment with a rheumatologist or orthopedic specialist, though, you should first see your primary care physician PCP for a general diagnosis. Your PCP should be able to point you in the right direction based on your symptoms.

The following information will give you a better idea about joint paint, its causes and what kind of doctor for joint pain may be right for you. While there is an incredibly long list of things that could cause joint pain, the most common causes of joint pain are arthritis and orthopedic injury.

Just as there are a lot of possible causes of joint pain, there are many different types of arthritis. The most common form of arthritis, though, is osteoarthritis. Without the cushion of cartilage in your joint, your bones grind against each other. Your rheumatologist will closely monitor your condition and its progression while you are on medication or trying other non-surgical treatments. If your symptoms continue to persist, you will be referred to an orthopedic surgeon to see if your condition would be best treated with surgery.

Review the lists below to determine which specialist would best suit your needs. For patients suffering from autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout, a combined approach that focuses on both pharmacological and surgical procedures is often required for the optimum management of diseases.

Alfonso E. When orthopedic surgeons and rheumatologists work under the same roof, it is easy to establish relationships with one another. This is extremely helpful because if a rheumatologist needs to refer a patient to an orthopedic surgeon, he or she can communicate with his or her colleague, helping the patient receive the best possible care. In addition, sharing a location can help provide convenient and well-rounded comprehensive care to patients who need to see both a rheumatologist and an orthopedist.

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