Rheumatology
Rheumatologists are doctors who investigate, diagnose, manage and rehabilitate patients with disorders of the musculoskeletal system such as the locomotor apparatus, bone and soft connective tissues.
This page provides useful information on the nature of the work, the common procedures/interventions, sub-specialties and other roles that may interest you.

Nature of the work
These conditions include inflammatory and non-inflammatory disorders which predominantly affect the joints, bones, muscles and soft tissues. Although the prevalence of some conditions such as arthritis rises with age, musculoskeletal conditions may affect all age groups and specialists see a large variety of patients.
Rheumatologists treat conditions such as:
- inflammatory joint disease, eg rheumatoid arthritis
- degenerative joint disease, eg osteoarthritis
- autoimmune disease [1], eg lupus
- back problems
- soft tissue disorders, eg tennis elbow
- metabolic [2] bone disorders, eg osteoporosis
- crystal arthropathies, eg gout
- musculoskeletal infections
Common procedures/interventions
These include:
- physical examination
- x-ray and other imaging methods
- laboratory tests
- drug treatments
- soft tissue and joint injections
- spinal injections for relief of back pain
- biopsy [3] procedures such synovial or muscle biopsies
- musculoskeletal ultrasound [4]
Sub-specialties
Many rheumatologists develop sub-specialty interests such as:
- paediatric rheumatology
- metabolic [2] bone disease
- neurophysiology
- sports medicine
- autoimmune multi-system connective tissue diseases
Many will also have commitments in general internal medicine.
Want to learn more?
Find out more about:
- the working life [5] of someone in rheumatology
- the entry requirements [6] and training and development [7]
Other roles that may interest you
- General internal medicine [33]
- Immunology [34]
- Rehabilitation medicine [35]
- Sport and exercise medicine [36]