Browse in-depth, physician-reviewed articles covering the autoimmune, inflammatory, and musculoskeletal conditions our rheumatologists diagnose and manage every day.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition that primarily affects the joints, often leading to pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced mobility. It is considered an autoimmune disease, meaning the …
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, commonly referred to as lupus, is a chronic autoimmune condition that can affect multiple systems in the body. It is characterized by periods of increased disease activity (flares)…
Osteoporosis is a common bone condition characterized by reduced bone density and strength, increasing the risk of fractures. It often develops silently over time and may not cause noticeable symptoms until a f…
Gout is an inflammatory form of arthritis caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals within the joints. It often presents with sudden, intense episodes of joint pain and swelling and can significantly affect m…
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common joint conditions and a leading cause of pain and reduced mobility in adults. It develops gradually and may affect one or multiple joints, often interfering with daily ac…
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, heightened pain sensitivity, and persistent fatigue. Unlike inflammatory or degenerative joint diseases, fibromyalgia d…
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition that primarily affects the joints, often leading to pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced mobility. It is considered an autoimmune disease, meaning the …
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects some individuals with psoriasis. It can cause joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, and may also involve the skin, nails, and other tissues. T…
Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory condition that primarily affects the spine and sacroiliac joints. It can cause persistent back pain, stiffness, and reduced flexibility, particularly in younger …
Reactive arthritis is an inflammatory joint condition that can develop after certain infections, most commonly involving the gastrointestinal or genitourinary tract. It may cause joint pain, swelling, and stiff…
Enteropathic arthritis is an inflammatory joint condition associated with inflammatory bowel diseases, such as those affecting the digestive tract. It can cause joint pain, stiffness, and swelling and may occur…
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is a group of chronic inflammatory joint conditions that begin in childhood. It is the most common form of arthritis in children and adolescents and may affect one joint or m…
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, commonly referred to as lupus, is a chronic autoimmune condition that can affect multiple systems in the body. It is characterized by periods of increased disease activity (flares)…
Sjögren’s syndrome is a chronic autoimmune condition that primarily affects the glands responsible for producing moisture, such as the tear and salivary glands. It can lead to dryness of the eyes and mouth and …
Scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune condition characterized by inflammation and abnormal connective tissue changes that can affect the skin, joints, blood vessels, and internal organs. The course of scleroderma…
Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) is a chronic autoimmune condition that features overlapping characteristics of several connective tissue diseases. Symptoms can involve the joints, muscles, skin, and inte…
Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease (UCTD) is a condition in which a person has signs and symptoms of an autoimmune connective tissue disorder but does not meet full criteria for a specific diagnosis. Sy…
Vasculitis refers to a group of autoimmune conditions characterized by inflammation of blood vessels. This inflammation can affect vessels of different sizes and may interfere with blood flow to organs and tiss…
Osteoporosis is a common bone condition characterized by reduced bone density and strength, increasing the risk of fractures. It often develops silently over time and may not cause noticeable symptoms until a f…
Osteopenia refers to lower-than-normal bone density that is not severe enough to be classified as osteoporosis. It is often identified through bone density screening and may represent an early stage of bone los…
Metabolic bone disease is a broad term used to describe conditions that affect bone strength and structure due to abnormalities in bone metabolism. These conditions can interfere with the body’s ability to buil…
Fragility fractures are fractures that occur from low-impact events, such as a fall from standing height or less. They are often a sign of underlying bone weakness and commonly associated with conditions such a…
Gout is an inflammatory form of arthritis caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals within the joints. It often presents with sudden, intense episodes of joint pain and swelling and can significantly affect m…
Pseudogout, also known as Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease (CPPD), is an inflammatory joint condition caused by the accumulation of calcium crystals within the joints. It can cause sudden episodes of jo…
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common joint conditions and a leading cause of pain and reduced mobility in adults. It develops gradually and may affect one or multiple joints, often interfering with daily ac…
Chronic joint pain is a common reason individuals seek rheumatologic care. It refers to persistent discomfort, stiffness, or soreness affecting one or more joints for an extended period of time. Chronic joint p…
Mechanical back pain is one of the most common causes of discomfort affecting the spine. It typically results from strain, overuse, or structural stress on the muscles, joints, and supporting tissues of the bac…
Neck pain is a common condition that can affect mobility, comfort, and daily function. It may develop gradually or suddenly and can range from mild stiffness to persistent discomfort that limits head movement a…
Shoulder pain is a common complaint that can interfere with daily activities such as lifting, reaching, dressing, and sleeping. The shoulder is a complex joint with a wide range of motion, making it particularl…
Knee pain is a common reason patients seek medical evaluation and can affect individuals of all ages. Because the knee plays a central role in walking, standing, and weight-bearing, pain in this joint may signi…
Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory condition that primarily affects older adults and is characterized by pain and stiffness in the shoulders, hips, and neck. Symptoms often develop relatively quickly and…
Temporal arteritis, also known as giant cell arteritis, is a serious inflammatory condition affecting medium and large arteries, most commonly those in the head and neck. It primarily occurs in older adults and…
Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory condition characterized by the formation of granulomas, or clusters of immune cells, in various organs. It most commonly affects the lungs and lymph nodes but can also involve the…
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, heightened pain sensitivity, and persistent fatigue. Unlike inflammatory or degenerative joint diseases, fibromyalgia d…
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, is a complex condition characterized by profound fatigue that is not relieved by rest and is often worsened by physical or mental activity. The…
Myofascial Pain Syndrome is a chronic pain condition involving muscle and connective tissue (fascia). It is characterized by localized areas of muscle tightness and sensitive trigger points that can cause pain …
Tendinitis is a common condition characterized by inflammation or irritation of a tendon, the tissue that connects muscle to bone. It often develops due to repetitive movements, overuse, or strain and can affec…
Bursitis is a condition caused by inflammation of a bursa, a small fluid-filled sac that cushions joints and reduces friction between bones, tendons, and muscles. When a bursa becomes inflamed, it can cause loc…
Inflammatory back pain is a form of chronic back discomfort driven by inflammation rather than mechanical strain. It often begins gradually and may be most noticeable in younger adults. Emphasizing early recogn…
Sacroiliitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the sacroiliac joints, which connect the lower spine to the pelvis. It can cause pain in the lower back, buttocks, or hips and may significantly affect mobili…
Degenerative disc disease is a common condition involving age-related changes in the spinal discs that can lead to chronic back or neck pain. Despite the term “disease,” it is not an inflammatory or infectious …
Spinal arthritis refers to degenerative or inflammatory changes affecting the joints of the spine. It can cause chronic back or neck pain, stiffness, and reduced flexibility, particularly with aging or prolonge…
Overuse joint injuries develop when repeated stress is placed on a joint without adequate time for recovery. These injuries are common in individuals who engage in repetitive activities at work, sports, or dail…
Repetitive strain injuries develop when repeated motions place stress on muscles, tendons, and joints over time. These injuries are commonly associated with occupational tasks, computer use, and certain sports.…
Sports-related inflammatory conditions involve joint or soft tissue inflammation triggered or worsened by athletic activity. These conditions can affect performance and recovery and may overlap with mechanical …
Ligament and tendon inflammation involves irritation of the connective tissues that support and stabilize joints. These conditions can cause pain, stiffness, and reduced function and are often related to overus…
Unexplained joint pain refers to persistent discomfort, stiffness, or swelling in one or more joints without a clear diagnosis at the outset. Many individuals experience joint symptoms that do not immediately f…
Unexplained inflammation refers to persistent signs of inflammation in the body without an immediately identifiable cause. This may include elevated inflammatory markers, swelling, pain, or systemic symptoms. B…
Positive autoimmune blood tests can be concerning, especially when symptoms are mild or unclear. These test results may indicate immune system activity but do not always correspond to a specific autoimmune dise…
Chronic musculoskeletal pain refers to persistent pain affecting muscles, joints, bones, or connective tissues lasting several months or longer. It can significantly affect mobility, energy levels, sleep, and o…
