When considering if you should see a rheumatologist for osteoarthritis, know that the answer may depend on the stage of your disease. Your primary doctor will able to make an initial assessment following a physical examination. He can order x-rays, blood tests, or any other diagnostic tests needed to support his initial assessment. Your primary doctor can also prescribe medications to relieve pain and other osteoarthritis symptoms.
But after the initial exam and testing, your doctor may decide to refer you to a rheumatologist. Learn more about when that might be the case and how it could benefit you to consult with a rheumatologist in Should You See a Rheumatologist for Osteoarthritis?
Related Resources:
- Talk to Your Doctor!
- Does Your Doctor Intimidate You?
- First Visit to the Rheumatologist
- Don't Delay Osteoarthritis Treatment
- When Should You Ask a Doctor About Your Symptoms?
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Patients with OA should see a rheumatologist. And here’s why…
1. OA may not be the problem or it may not be the only arthritis problem. A diagnostic workup may be needed.
2. There are many many effective conservative measures that can be tried before considering surgery
3. Investigational meds (ike tanezumab, naproxinod, etc) may be available in clinical trials for patients who’ve failed other measures if the rheumatologist is involved in clinical research
4. Cutting-edge treatments like stem cell therapy may also be available. A rheumatologist can point the patient in the right direction if necessary
5. Rheumatologists are gentler than orthopedists