What is rheumatology?
Rheumatology helps address inflammation or pain in muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, or tissue. These conditions are known collectively as systemic rheumatic diseases. Some rheumatic diseases can also affect blood vessels, skin, nerves and most internal organs. Rheumatic diseases including arthritis, osteoporosis and tendonitis, joint disorders and certain autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and scleroderma.
How are these services performed?
Since rheumatic diseases affect everyone differently, your health care team will work with you to decide which treatment is best for you. At a Horizon clinic, your health care team includes a rheumatologist, clinic nurses, and staff. They provide diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care to patients.
How do I access these services?
If you are experiencing constant stiffness or pain in your muscles or joints, please talk with your family physician or primary health care provider. You may then be referred to a Horizon rheumatology clinic for testing.
How do I prepare for this service?
No preparation is required. If you have specific questions or goals, please share them with the health care provider working with you.
You may wish to make a list of what you want to discuss with the rheumatologist. Many patients find it helpful to write a list of their concerns since writing these concerns ensures they don’t forget anything.
