Rheumatology

Specialists in rheumatology diagnose and treat more than 100 disorders that affect the joints, muscles and bones. Examples of these are:

• Rheumatic diseases (including rheumatoid arthritis)
• Osteoarthritis
• Back pain
• Osteoporosis
• Gout

Both children and adults can be affected by these disease processes. Common symptoms which may prompt a visit to a rheumatologist are joint swelling, pain in and around joints that lasts more than a few days, and joint stiffness. A medical history and physical along with blood tests and X-rays are used to diagnose rheumatic diseases.

Treatment can include the use of medications and may involve other health care providers such as physical and occupational therapists, orthopedic surgeons, podiatrists and occupational medicine specialists. Education is critical in understanding these diseases.

Appointments for Rheumatology are offered via on-site video visits, which reduce the need to travel far and enable patients to receive care closer to home.

For an on-site video visit, patients arrive to their home clinic and a nurse connects them with a specialist by live video. Our innovative technology uses a Bluetooth stethoscope, a USB otoscope and high definition cameras that can move and zoom in for a high-quality physical exam and personal conversation with the specialist.

Video appointments are currently offered at select locations in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Learn more about on-site video appointments.

Not all services and procedures are offered in this location. In certain cases, you may be connected to services at other Mayo Clinic Health System locations.