Difference between Orthopaedic and Rheumatologist

An orthopaedic surgeon can prescribe several treatment options to treat the symptoms that affect your musculoskeletal system. These treatment options include:

1. Corticosteroids injections for pain management
2. Develop a course of treatment for managing arthritis pain in athletes
3. Platelet-rich plasma therapy to reduce pain and achieve better function
4. Physical therapy to improve strength, mobility, flexibility, balance, and coordination
5. Surgical procedures to replace damaged joints (used when conservative methods fail)

 Yes, you can see arthritis on an MRI, which is a useful test for diagnosing joint problems. The sensitivity of an MRI makes it the most effective tool to detect arthritis and inflammation. 

You should see a rheumatologist when you experience the following symptoms:-

1. Pain in multiple joints
2. Joint pain not associated with an injury
3. Joint or muscle pain accompanied by fever, fatigue, headache, chest pain, stiffness, or psoriasis (an autoimmune disease that causes rashes or patches on the skin)
4. Joint pain with back pain
5. Back pain with or without leg pain
6. Recurring headaches and muscle aches, with or without any other symptoms
7. Symptoms like sweating or unexplained weight loss

 A rheumatologist treats the following autoimmune diseases:

1. Lupus
2. Scleroderma
3. Psoriatic arthritis
4. Rheumatoid arthritis
5. Sjogren’s syndrome
6. Vasculitis
7. Gout

An orthopaedic hand specialist can help ease the symptoms of arthritis in fingers. They may also perform surgery if arthritis in your fingers is severe or other treatments fail. However, rheumatoid arthritis in fingers is best treated by a rheumatologist.

An orthopaedic surgeon is trained and qualified to diagnose orthopaedic problems, perform treatment, and help with rehabilitation. Furthermore, they develop long-term strategies to treat problems related to your bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the least intrusive way possible. Orthopedists perform a wide range of procedures, such as hand, knee, hip, ankle, back, and neck surgeries. 

Yes, orthopaedic doctors can treat gout with medications to reduce pain and inflammation. However, a rheumatologist is a doctor who specializes in treating gout. 

Doctors diagnose arthritis using a series of tests. They perform a physical examination to check the joint for swelling, redness, and warmth. Tests to diagnose arthritis include:

1. X-rays: Shows cartilage loss, bone spurs, and bone damage
2. CT scan: Views bone and the surrounding soft tissues
3. MRI: Produces detailed images of soft tissues, such as ligaments, tendons, and cartilage
4. Ultrasound: Creates images of soft tissues and bursae (fluid-containing structures near your joint)

A rheumatologist diagnoses manage and treats a wide range of autoimmune conditions, such as:

1. Rheumatoid arthritis
2. Lupus
3. Gout
4. Psoriatic arthritis
5. Sjogren’s syndrome
6. Scleroderma
7. Dermatomyositis
8. Myositis
9. Fibromyalgia
10. Antiphospholipid syndrome
11. Erythematosus
12. Polymyalgia rheumatica
13. Vasculitis
14. Sarcoidosis

Rheumatologists order blood tests that help diagnose arthritis and monitor the treatment progress. These blood tests include:

1. Rheumatoid factor: Used to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis and, sometimes, Sjogren’s syndrome
2. Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody: Used to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis
3. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate: Used to diagnose nonspecific inflammation in the body
4. C-reactive protein: Used to diagnose autoimmune diseases that cause inflammation, such as lupus

The best doctor to see for arthritis is a rheumatologist, who specializes in managing diseases that involve bones, joints, and muscles. They can treat all types of arthritis, especially those requiring complex treatment. They may refer you to an orthopaedic surgeon if you have degenerative arthritis. 

 No, rheumatoid arthritis is not an orthopaedic condition. Orthopaedics focuses on problems due to wear and tear, injury, and congenital defects, whereas rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic condition that affects the entire body. 

Yes, a rheumatologist treats joint pain. They are trained and qualified to treat systemic autoimmune diseases that cause pain and inflammation of the joints. 

Before visiting a rheumatologist, prepare a list of questions you want to ask. Some of these questions can include the following:

1. Is there any damage to my joints due to arthritis?
2. What can I do to relieve pain at night while sleeping?
3. When will I feel better?
4. What are the side effects of rheumatoid arthritis medications? How can I prevent them?
5. Will I have to take these medicines for the rest of my life?
6. Will physical therapy help my condition?
7. What exercises should I do to manage my pain?
8. What should I do when the pain increases?
9. Are there any natural treatments for pain management?
10. Should I avoid any food?

The primary difference between rheumatology and orthopaedic is the pain that you experience. Rheumatology deals with pain caused by autoimmune diseases. In contrast, orthopaedics deals with pain directly related to the musculoskeletal system, such as broken bones, torn ligaments, damaged cartilage, etc. 

 A rheumatologist specializes in treating arthritis and other autoimmune diseases and conditions, such as gout, lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome, etc.