Definition

Noun: A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating rheumatic diseases. Rheumatic diseases are conditions that affect the joints, muscles, bones, and sometimes other internal organs, often involving pain, stiffness, and inflammation.

Usage

A rheumatologist is a type of medical specialist. You see this doctor when you have problems like arthritis, lupus, or gout. * You typically need a referral from your primary care physician to see a rheumatologist. * The rheumatologist ordered several blood tests to help diagnose the cause of my joint pain.

Examples

• After years of unexplained joint swelling, her general practitioner finally referred her to a rheumatologist.
• The rheumatologist explained that rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder.
• Managing complex conditions like scleroderma requires the expertise of a skilled rheumatologist.

Advanced Usage

• The field of medicine focused on these diseases is called rheumatology.
• The adjective form is rheumatologic, as in "rheumatologic disorders."

Variants and Related Words

• Rheumatology (noun): The branch of medicine devoted to the study and treatment of rheumatic diseases.
• Rheumatic (adjective): Relating to or suffering from rheumatism or a rheumatic disease (e.g., rheumatic fever, rheumatic pain).

Synonyms

• Specialist (in rheumatology)
• Arthritis specialist (this is a common but less formal and less comprehensive term, as rheumatologists treat more than just arthritis)

Noun

1. a physician specializing in rheumatic diseases