The Department of Rheumatology at Aster Whitefield offers state-of-the-art treatment facilities to all spectrum of Rheumatological diseases, we provide expert care for patients of all ages with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lupus, and more.
Our Rheumatology team works closely with other leaders in specialities like Respiratory Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedic, Neurology and other consultants.
The Department includes a multi-disciplinary team consisting of Adult and Paediatric Rheumatologists, Rheumatology Nurse educators, dedicated customer care executives and a well-equipped Physiotherapy unit, and a dedicated team of radiologists, radiographers, anaesthetists are available on-site.
Rheumatology is a medical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions that affect the joints, bones, muscles, and connective tissues. Rheumatologists help in Diagnosing and Treating:
- Osteoarthritis: A degenerative joint disease that occurs when the cartilage that cushions the joints wears away over time.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: An autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the joints, causing inflammation, pain, and stiffness.
- Psoriatic arthritis: A type of arthritis that occurs in people with psoriasis, a skin condition characterized by red, scaly patches.
- Ankylosing spondylitis: An inflammatory condition that primarily affects the spine, causing pain and stiffness in the neck, back, and hips.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): An autoimmune disorder that can affect multiple organs and tissues, including the joints, skin, kidneys, and heart.
- Scleroderma: An autoimmune disorder that causes hardening and thickening of the skin and connective tissues.
- Gout: A type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints, which can lead to pain, swelling, and stiffness.Vasculitis: An inflammation of the blood vessels that can affect multiple organs and tissues.
- Polymyalgia rheumatica: An inflammatory disorder that primarily affects the muscles in the shoulders and hips, causing pain and stiffness.
- Fibromyalgia: A chronic condition characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, and tenderness in the muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues.
- Rheumatologists also treat other conditions related to the musculoskeletal system, such as osteoporosis, tendonitis, and bursitis. They work closely with other healthcare providers, such as physical therapists and occupational therapists, to develop comprehensive treatment plans that address the unique needs of each patient.
Rheumatology represents a subspecialty in internal medicine and pediatrics, which is devoted to the diagnosis and therapy of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) are a diverse group of diseases that commonly affect the joints, but can also affect the muscles, other tissues, and internal organs. There are more than 200 different RMDs, affecting both children and adults.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that predominantly affects the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis causes severe pain, swelling, and stiffness in your joints, as a result, it becomes difficult to bend and use them. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect other organs too such as the eyes, lungs, heart, or skin.
There is a well-equipped physiotherapy unit with a team of excellent physiotherapists for the therapeutic management of joint pain and inflammation to bring comfort to the patient through exercise, IFT, Ultrasound, heat, and massage.
Yes! Unfortunately, children can also suffer from many Rheumatic diseases. We have a dedicated Paediatric Rheumatology team to cater to the needs of growing children and address their special needs.
A rheumatologist is a physician, who has received further training in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disease and systemic autoimmune conditions. Apart from common arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and gout, Rheumatologists are involved in treating complicated multisystem diseases like Vasculitis / SLE, etc.
Yes, Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease, like any other autoimmune disease, the immune system attacks healthy cells of the body by mistake causing inflammation and pain.
Yes, physiotherapy helps the patient to improve the movement of the joints by removing stiffness. Muscle strengthening and Massage can help reduce pain and improve joint functions for daily activities.
Yes, like any other normal person, all patients with Rheumatic disease can lead normal reproductive life if they are under the care of a Rheumatologist. However, patients with Autoimmune rheumatic diseases should always discuss their pregnancy plans with their Rheumatologist prior to planning so that the medications can be optimized before the planned pregnancy.
All of us experience musculoskeletal pains which are self-limiting and short-lived. If your pain is not resolving in 1-2 weeks, it is better to take an expert opinion. If joint symptoms are associated with the following symptoms, it is always advised to meet a nearby Rheumatologist
- Systemic symptoms like fever, weight loss, loss of appetite etc.
- Most severe pain in the morning hours
- More than 3 joints are involved at the same time
- Skin rash, and abdominal pain.
Osteoarthritis is a very common type of arthritis that is caused by wear and tear of the cartilage that covers and protects the bones at the place of joints whereas, in rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the healthy joints.
Yes, rheumatic diseases are chronic. Many Rheumatic diseases are lifelong, though there are periods of remission when the patient feels better in the absence of symptoms. In some patients, rheumatism may damage the skin, heart, eyes lungs, and blood vessels.
Yes, not only vaccines are safe, they are also strongly recommended for patients suffering from Autoimmune rheumatic diseases. The Immune disorder itself along with the drugs used in rheumatology practice makes one susceptible to infections, for the same reason it is recommended to take regular vaccines for both adults and pediatric patients with Rheumatic diseases.
- State-of-the-art treatment and facilities for a wide range of Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs).
- Dedicated Paediatric Rheumatologist to cater to the special needs of growing children with Rheumatic disorders.
- A multi-disciplinary team consisting of trained and qualified Rheumatologists, Nurse Educators, and Customer Care Executives.
- Doctors with national and international expertise, who are actively involved in research work.
- Well-equipped Physiotherapy unit.
- Latest treatment facilities for outpatient care
- Collaborative work from leaders in other fields like gynecology, dermatology, ophthalmology, neurology, radiology, physiotherapy, and others.
Rheumatoid arthritis causes swelling and stiffness in the joints. Specifically, early morning stiffness of more than 30 min is an early sign of Inflammatory arthritis. Later, if untreated it leads to bone erosion and joint deformity.
Many forms of rheumatic diseases including arthritis have a genetic basis. It has been found that autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis are there in patients and their families as they share the same susceptibility genes for their immune systems.