Welcome to Tulsa Rheumatology Clinic!
We’re so glad that you’re here! Take a look around to learn more about our team, the clinic, and to find some useful resources for those diagnosed with rheumatologic disorders.
What is a rheumatologist, and why would I need to see one?
A rheumatologist is a physician who diagnoses and treats systemic autoimmune disorders. These are diseases in which the immune system attacks different tissue types, creating inflammation and damage in the involved organs. These diseases can involve multiple different organ systems, such as skin, eyes, lungs, kidneys, or others. All of the systemic autoimmune disorders have the potential to involve the joints, causing an autoimmune type of arthritis. (Not all joint pain is autoimmune or inflammatory!) A rheumatologist can help to look for one of the 100 types of inflammatory joint conditions or help to rule these types of arthritis out if there is concern. Some examples of rheumatologic disorders:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Vasculitis
- Scleroderma
- Polymyositis
- And more
If you want to learn more, check out the resources page. If you are concerned that you may have an underlying rheumatologic condition, start with discussing your symptoms and concerns with your primary care provider, who can start the evaluation and help point you in the right direction or refer to a rheumatologist if needed.