If you have made the decision to schedule an appointment with a rheumatologist, you are on the right path to better health. Before your first rheumatology visit, it is a good idea to educate yourself about what a rheumatologist does, what you can expect, and what questions you should keep in mind so that you can make the most of your first appointment.

What Does A Rheumatologist Do?

Rheumatologists are internists who treat a wide variety of conditions and symptoms, such as those that affect the joints, bones and muscles. They are well-versed in autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, vasculitis, osteoarthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica and gout. Once they assess the patient and make a diagnosis, they may recommend medications, physical therapy and/or lifestyle changes to target the symptoms and to slow disease progression.

What a Rheumatologist Does at a First Visit

Patients may be a bit nervous going into their initial consult—perhaps worried about a potential diagnosis and unsure of what the rheumatology visit will bring. These are all understandable concerns. To reduce any anxiety, here is some information about what may be done at a first visit.

• Takes a Patient History: This is the most important part of the visit. Be prepared to share information about the timeline of your symptoms, what makes the symptoms better or worse and how your symptoms may interfere with your day to day life. You may be asked questions that do not seem to be related to the symptoms that have brought you in, but be assured that they are being asked for good reasons to be thorough. Please provide a list of the medications you are on, as well as any other lab tests or imaging studies you may recently have had (if available). Sometimes it is a good idea to write down details beforehand so that you do not forget to share any important information during your visit.

• Physical Examination: A rheumatologist will conduct a detailed physical examination. The musculoskeletal part of the exam entails inspecting the joints for swelling and redness, assessing any tenderness to touch along with detecting difficulties in joint movement. If there are any areas of particular concern, be sure to point them out during the exam.

• Reviews Next Steps: Before making a diagnosis, a rheumatologist may need to order blood work such as those used to identify inflammation, antibodies that may be associated with certain rheumatic conditions, and also to rule out other diseases or conditions. The rheumatologist may recommend imaging, such as x-rays, to help understand the cause of the symptoms.

A first appointment with a rheumatologist will likely last about an hour in order to carefully listen, conduct a thorough examination and to gather as much information as possible. Along with the detailed history and examination, lab work and other testing may help the rheumatologist to establish the cause of your symptoms and to determine the best course of treatment. While patients are facing different types of rheumatology symptoms and conditions, they all took the important first step of making an initial visit with a rheumatologist to prioritize their health to feel better.

At Magnolia Rheumatology, we are dedicated to treating rheumatology patients with precision and care. Time is our greatest gift we can share with our patients. We look forward to helping you understand the cause of your symptoms and to begin to thrive on your path to better health. Contact us today!

Read about other rheumatic diseases that Dr. Jain specializes in: