Rheumatologist, Anniston, AL

As a branch of internal medicine, rheumatology is devoted to diagnosing and treating rheumatic disease, the most common of which is arthritis. Rheumatic disease can affect the joints, connective tissues, and organs and cause inflammation, swelling, and pain in the joints or muscles. At RMC Health System, we have a dedicated team of Rheumatology professionals in our Anniston medical clinic.

Our Rheumatology team is dedicated to diagnosing and treating all musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders.

Rheumatologist Treatments At The RMC Health System Anniston Medical Clinic

Rheumatologists are physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders. Our team provides comprehensive patient care that includes patient education, rehabilitation, and therapy utilizing several methods, from drug therapy to surgical intervention.

Rheumatoid arthritis can be a debilitating condition affecting almost any body part. It’s generally associated with inflammation (swelling and redness), almost always accompanied by pain, and has symptoms that can significantly impact daily activities. Areas typically affected include joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. It’s for this reason that early treatment is vital!

Why See an  Specialist Doctor Doctor?

Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases of the musculoskeletal system can have a debilitating impact on your quality of life. It’s imperative to see a doctor as early as you can to prevent the condition from progressing. An appointment and treatment plan with the right doctor can significantly improve your quality of life, offering you the best chance at healing.

RMC Health System provides expert diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of rheumatic conditions, including:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Crystalline diseases, such as gout
• Spondyloarthropathies
• Vasculitis, such as giant cell arteritis or polyarteritis nodosa
• Polymyalgia rheumatica
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Inflammatory muscle diseases
• Connective tissue diseases
• Fibromyalgia
• Scleroderma
• Sjogren’s Syndrome
• Ankylosing spondylitis

All rheumatic conditions benefit from early intervention; it’s vital to have them addressed as soon as you can before they worsen and progress too far. While not all medical interventions can cure rheumatic conditions, they can offer pain relief and comfort to improve quality of life.

Signs and Symptoms of Rheumatic Disease

There are several different rheumatic conditions that you might be suffering from. Each of these conditions has its symptoms and signs; however, there are a few symptoms that you can look out for. If you experience these symptoms, it’s essential to seek help from a rheumatology center.

Symptoms include:

• Aches and pains
• Swelling
• Lower backache
• Pain localized to the joints
• Stiffness or limited range of motion
• General feelings of being unwell
• Feelings of tiredness or fatigue
• Fever
• Weight loss

Diagnosis and Treatment

It’s critical to see your doctor if you have symptoms of a rheumatic disease. Diagnosis usually begins with a trip to your primary care physician or GP’s office, where you will be referred to a rheumatic specialist. A timely diagnosis can often prevent a disease from worsening or causing more severe symptoms or, in some cases, irreparable damage.

Rheumatology experts will use several techniques to diagnose your condition.

Diagnosis:

There are several ways in which to diagnose a rheumatic condition; they include:

• X-rays
• Lab testing
• Physical examination
• A look at medical history

Treatments Available for Rheumatic Disease

When planning to treat arthritis or other rheumatic diseases, our team will help you find the most appropriate treatment plan—where an appropriate amount of time will be given to monitor your progress and assess whether your treatment needs to follow a stricter protocol or not.

As many patients will discover, many treatments are available for rheumatic diseases, and it also depends on the type of disease you’re diagnosed with.

Treatments include:

• Pain management
• Anti-inflammatory treatments
• Surgery
• Physical therapy
• Rehabilitation and care

Treatment plans are often tailor-made to suit the patient’s needs. Patients that seek medical services early on can usually expect better results than those whose condition has progressed. These conditions are also considered chronic and won’t go away without the appropriate treatment protocols.

Risk Factors For Rheumatic Conditions

A few risk factors can increase your chances of suffering from a rheumatic condition. It’s essential to discuss this with your primary care physician for them to conduct a screening of your history and ensure that any diagnosis is caught early on.

Risks include:

• Stroke, Heart disease, Diabetes, and other Inflammatory conditions—As many of these painful conditions are linked to inflammation, patients with a history of inflammatory conditions are at higher risk of developing a rheumatic disease.
• Age—Rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic disease are commonly diagnosed in elderly patients.
• Autoimmune diseases—These diseases can often lead to the development of rheumatic disease or the progression of these conditions.

Multidisciplinary Care for Rheumatic Conditions

At the RMC Health System Anniston Medical Clinic, we offer patients access to a multidisciplinary team of experts and healthcare professionals. As we understand the importance of managing rheumatic disease as early as possible, our team includes many highly skilled professionals.

Our Rheumatology Team:

• James Ready, MD Dr, Rheumatologist
• Vishala Chindalore, MD Dr, Rheumatologist
• Andrew Morris, MD Dr, Orthopedic surgeon
• Gordon Hardy, MD, Orthopedic surgeon
• Jeffrey Lawler, MD, Orthopedic surgeon 
• Duane Michael Tippets, Jr., DO, Orthopedic surgeon
• Duane Dickie Tippets, MD, Orthopedic surgeon
• Kenneth Vandervoort, MD, Orthopedic surgeon
• Michael Wiedmer, MD, Orthopedic surgeon

Our primary care doctors and rheumatologists often work collaboratively with other specialists to treat rheumatic conditions, including:

• Nurses and nurse practitioners
• Orthopedic surgeons
• Pain management specialists
• Physical and occupational therapists

Schedule An Appointment With the Rheumatology Department at Regional Medical Center Health System, Anniston, Alabama

If you have health concerns or want to take control of your rheumatic condition, contact the Rheumatology office at the RMC Health System. We have a skilled team of rheumatologists in Anniston, AL, that is ready to help you begin your health journey. You will be guided through the diagnosis and treatment process from your first appointment.