This is a branch of healthcare science catering to immune-mediated abnormalities of the soft tissues, vasculitis, connective tissue disorders, musculoskeletal system, and autoimmune diseases. This particular field involves a thorough practice and study of medical immunology. A Rheumatologist backs his treatment plan for the diseases which sometimes can even be fatal, with exhaustive research and medical evidence. The diseases treated include arthritis, pain disorders affecting joints, autoimmune diseases, and osteoporosis. There are over 200 categories of these diseases namely rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, lupus, back pain, osteoporosis, and tendinitis. Some of these diseases can result in serious consequences and might even be hard to detect and diagnose. This department’s common visitors are athletes, as they frequently suffer from musculoskeletal and soft tissue disorders.
The most common Rheumatism treatment plans are driven by medicine. Most diseases are diagnosed with analgesics, steroids in critical cases, NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs), monoclonal antibodies like adalimumab and infliximab. This field is mostly aided by Physiology as the patient’s body movements are an integral part of this branch. Occupational therapies are useful for patients who want to find alternate means for common movements which might have been affected by the disease. Those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis would require a treatment regime that focuses on a long term, well-coordinated team effort towards the examination and management of the patients. In this department, there is no fixed treatment plan, the treatment plans suggested by the doctor will heavily be decided based on the response and tolerability of the patients towards the medication, and hence, the treatment plan has to be tailored to each patient and their requirements.
Also known as Rheumatoid Surgery, Rheumasurgery is a discipline within Orthopedics dealing with the surgical cure of patients suffering from rheumatic disorders, and rheumatism. The intent of a Rheumasurgeon is to improve patient function, limit disease growth, and ease the pain. A Rheumasurgical intervention can be classified into two cases - Early Synovectomies and Corrective Intervention.
This process involves the removal of the inflamed synovia to limit the growth and destruction
This procedure essentially comes in after damage has been caused. Corrective Interventions include repositioning of joints, removal of loose bone, cartilage fragments and joint replacement.
Currently, autoimmune disease and its causes are a field much researched upon. A newly emerging field known as Osteoimmunology enhances the scope of further examining the interactions between the immune mechanism, bones, and joints. Medication trials and epidemiological research are being performed to explore new possibilities. Research on clinical trials and biologics have furthered the potential for curing arthritic disorders.
While this department speciality lies in curing patients with musculoskeletal disorders, Immunologists treat people for allergies. An ideal day would be spent in treating patients while an Immunologist’s day majorly surrounds research and a lot of study regarding specific treatments, medication etcetera.
The department at Aster Hospitals is a sub-speciality devoted to the diagnosis and therapy of rheumatism. The department deals mainly with clinical problems involving joints, soft tissues, autoimmune diseases, vasculitis, and heritable connective tissue disorders.
Last updated: 22-02-2025
