Dr. Akhil Goel

A Rheumatologist is one who is a specialist in diagnosing and treating Rheumatic / Autoimmune diseases. 

It consists of:

• Inflammatory Arthritis 

  • Rheumatoid Arthritis

  • Ankylosing Spondylitis

  • Psoriatic Arthritis

  • Gout

• Degenerative Arthritis 

  • Osteoarthritis

• Connective Tissue Diseases 

  • SLE

  • Sjogren’s Syndrome

  • Inflammatory Myositis

  • Scleroderma

• Vasculitis 

  • GPA

  • PAN

• Soft Tissue Rheumatism 

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Tendinitis

  • Bursitis

• Osteoporosis 

• Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases

Manipal Hospitals has one of the best Rheumatologist doctors in Jaipur.

Most of us experience joint or muscle pain at some point in time. Although most of the joint symptoms improve on its own and some of them persists. If the pain is not improving in 1-2 weeks, it is better to take an expert opinion. If joint symptoms are associated with the following symptoms it is always advised to take an expert opinion:

• Systemic symptoms like fever, fatigue, weight loss

• Severe pain in the morning hours and/or morning stiffness in the joints more than 30 minutes

• More than 3 joints involved at the same time

• Skin rash

• Abdominal pain

An early opinion should be taken, if there is also a family history of rheumatic disease or if symptoms are significantly worsening over a short period of time. Joint damage can occur if symptoms of joint pain are ignored or not properly treated over a period of time. This damage cannot always be treated and may become permanent. Do not delay appropriate evaluation and get a check-up by one amongst the best rheumatologist doctor in Jaipur. 

As an autoimmune disease affects various organs of the body, the patient is referred to a Rheumatologist from a General Physician, Orthopedician or other medical specialities. The most common presentation of a patient is Arthritis (pain, stiffness and swelling of the joints). 

Some of the clinical features which require a Rheumatologist opinion are:

• Uveitis

• Dryness of eyes

           (Referred from an Ophthalmologist)

• Rashes over face and body

• Psoriasis

           (Referred from a Dermatologist)

• Low back pain

          (Referred from a Neurosurgeon/Neurologist/Orthopaedics)

• Kidney damage

           (Referred from a Nephrologist)

• Interstitial Lung disease

          (Referred from a Pulmonologist/Chest Physician)

A Rheumatologist is a physician who has received specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disease and systemic autoimmune diseases referred to as Rheumatic diseases. 

An orthopedic surgeon is a doctor who corrects anatomical or functional abnormalities of bones and/or joints by surgery like total knee replacement, casting, and bracing. He also treats injuries to the bones surgically.

While Rheumatologists treat joint diseases medically, Orthopedician treat joint disease surgically.

Manipal Hospital Jaipur has both the best Rheumatologist doctor in Jaipur and the best Orthopaedic doctor in Jaipur. 

 The main Signs & Symptoms are:

• Pain and swelling in the joints

• Morning stiffness in the joints lasting more than 30 minutes

• Pain and morning stiffness in the neck and lower back

• Deformity of hands, knees and feet

• Rashes over face and body

• Dryness of eye and mouth

• Unexplained fever, fatigue, weight loss

• Diffuse body and muscle pain 

• Muscle weakness

• Psoriasis with arthritis

• Osteoporosis

The main causes are:

• Environmental and Lifestyle Factors: Obesity, Diabetes, Hypertension, Smoking, Alcohol intake, Sedentary lifestyle, Air pollution

• Genetic: Many have family history positive

• Female sex: More common in females due to the increase in oestrogen hormone

All the above-mentioned factors have a complex interaction in the body resulting in autoimmune diseases. Thus get a regular check-up by an arthritis specialist in Jaipur.

• Paediatric patients

Rheumatic diseases are now being increasingly seen in children and adolescents whose early identification is required to prevent further damage. Symptoms of Paediatric Rheumatic diseases are mostly similar to Adult Rheumatic diseases.

• Young to Middle-aged patients

Other Rheumatic diseases like SLE, Sjogren’s syndrome, Ankylosing spondylitis, Rheumatoid arthritis are seen predominantly in young to middle-aged patients.

• Middle to Old aged patients

 Initially, it was thought that osteoarthritis affected patients for more than 60 years but now many cases are seen in patients between 30 to 50 years

Investigations:

• Blood Investigations: Routine blood tests, ESR, C-Reactive protein, Rheumatoid factor, Anti-CCP antibody, ANA, Serum Uric acid

• Radiological Investigations: X- rays of different joints according to the involvement, MRI and CT scan (where required)

Procedures:

• Synovial Fluid Aspiration from a joint: Used for symptomatic relief and for diagnosing septic arthritis, done by the Rheumatologist.

• Skin Biopsy: Biopsy of skin ulcer or rash required in some cases for diagnosis, done by the Rheumatologist.

To know more ask one of the best arthritis doctors in Jaipur. 

Prevention:

• Healthy diet and lifestyle: 

  • Salt-restricted, low-calorie diet 

  • A diet rich in calcium and fruits

  • Weight reduction

  • Avoid smoking and alcohol intake

• Regular exercise and Physiotherapy

Treatment:

• Regular intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs as advised by the Rheumatologist 

• Intra-articular injection of steroids for single joint involvement or involvement of two joints

• Newer drugs called ‘Biologics’ have been proven to provide significant symptomatic relief and for retarding the disease progression