If you have been experiencing joint pain, stiffness, swelling, or other symptoms that affect your mobility and quality of life, you may wonder if you need to see a rheumatologist. A rheumatologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases that affect the joints, muscles, bones, and organs, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, and osteoporosis. They can help you manage your condition, prevent complications, and improve your well-being.

But how do you know when to see a rheumatologist? Here are some signs that you may benefit from a consultation with a rheumatology expert.

Persistent And Unexplained Joint Pain or Swelling

If you have persistent joint pain and swelling that seems to have appeared out of nowhere or if your discomfort is rapidly growing worse, you may need to see a rheumatologist. Joint pain and swelling can be caused by many conditions, such as infections, injuries, or autoimmune diseases. A rheumatologist can perform a thorough physical examination, take your medical and family history, and order specific tests to find the underlying cause of your symptoms and formulate a diagnosis.

New Joint Pain Not Related to a Known Injury

If you develop joint pain that is not due to trauma or overuse, it could be a sign of an inflammatory or degenerative condition that affects the joints. For example, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints, leading to pain, stiffness, swelling, and deformity. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that causes the cartilage that cushions the joints to wear away, causing discomfort and reduced range of motion. A rheumatologist can help you distinguish between these and other types of arthritis and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Muscle or Joint Pain With Fatigue, Fever, Stiffness, or Chest Discomfort

These symptoms could indicate that you have a systemic autoimmune condition that affects not only your joints but also your organs and tissues. For example, lupus is an autoimmune disorder that can cause inflammation of the joints, brain, heart, blood vessels, and lungs. Sjögren's syndrome is another autoimmune disease that can cause dry eyes, dry mouth, joint pain, fatigue, and organ damage. A rheumatologist can diagnose these conditions based on your symptoms, blood tests, and other criteria.

Muscle Pain With or Without Other Symptoms

Muscle pain can be caused by many factors, such as stress, exercise, infections, medications, or metabolic disorders. However, some muscle pain can be due to inflammatory conditions that affect the muscles themselves or the blood vessels that supply them. For example, myositis is a group of diseases that cause inflammation and weakness of the muscles. Vasculitis is a group of diseases that cause inflammation and damage to the blood vessels. A rheumatologist can help you identify the cause of your muscle pain and recommend the best treatment.

If you have joint or muscle pain, schedule a consultation with a rheumatologist in your local area.