Rheumatology is the medical science devoted to the study of rheumatic diseases and musculoskeletal disorders.  These include the arthritides, such as rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis; the connective tissue disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma; the crystalline arthropathies, such as gout and pseudogout; the spondyloarthropathies, such as ankylosing spondylitis, and the soft tissue syndromes; such as fibromyalgia.  Rheumatologists are board certified physicians who have completed a program of study and training in this specialty.   In addition they have demonstrated further competency in the care of these patients by successfully passing the national certification examination in rheumatology.

There are approximately 4000 board certified rheumatologists in the United States.  This number is expected to decline over the next 10 years or so.  That is why the delay to see a rheumatologist is so long.  In addition, about 1 out of every 5 office visits to a primary care physician are due to a musculoskeletal disorder.  These are common problems that often require evaluation from the specialist.  The rheumatologist can more accurately and more efficiently diagnose and treat the patient's problem.  A variety of medications are used to treat rheumatologic disorders depending on the patient's diagnosis.  Some of these medication regimens are complex and require the special knowledge and interpretive skills of this medical specialty.  Major advances in treatment strategies and the overall understanding of these illnesses are taking place due to studies that are currently underway.