Our rheumatologists evaluate and treat a full range of autoimmune, inflammatory and musculoskeletal conditions, including:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA is an autoimmune condition that occurs when your immune system attacks your joints, causing joint swelling, stiffness and pain. Over time, RA can cause permanent joint damage and joint deformity.
• Systemic lupus. Systemic lupus is an autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation in several parts of your body, including your skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, joints, heart and lungs. Lupus affects each person differently, and the signs and symptoms depend on which area of your body is affected.
• Muscle inflammation (myositis/dermatomyositis). Our rheumatologists provide expert treatment of muscle inflammation (myositis), including dermatomyositis. Dermatomyositis causes a skin rash and weakness in the muscles closest to your trunk, such as your thighs, hips, upper arms, neck and shoulders.
• Scleroderma. Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that causes your skin and connective tissues to harden and tighten, which can lead to restricted movement and problems with your heart, lungs, kidneys and digestive system.
• Vasculitis. Vasculitis occurs when your blood vessels become inflamed, which causes them to thicken, weaken, narrow or scar. Vasculitis can restrict blood flow to organs and tissues.
• Polymyalgia rheumatica. Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory condition that causes pain and stiffness in your muscles. It most commonly affects the shoulders, but can also affect the neck, upper arms, hips, thighs and buttocks.
• Giant cell arteritis. Giant cell arteritis is a type of vasculitis that can cause headaches, fever, vision problems and pain in the face, scalp and joints. It is often related to polymyalgia rheumatica.
• Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that provides cushioning within your joints wears away over time, causing painful, stiff or swollen joints. It is most common in the joints of the hands, knees, hips and spine, but it can affect any joint in your body.
• Tendinitis and bursitis. Tendinitis and bursitis occur when the soft tissue around your muscles and bones becomes inflamed and painful. Tendinitis and bursitis commonly occur in the shoulder, wrist, hip, knee, elbow and ankle and may be caused by overuse.
• Back arthritis and spinal stenosis. Back arthritis occurs when the cartilage that provides cushioning within the joints in your spine begins to wear away over time, causing pain, stiffness and swelling. Spinal stenosis occurs when the spaces within your spine become narrowed and put pressure on, or “pinch,” the nerves that travel through your spine.
• Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition that causes your bones to become weak and brittle as you age, making you more likely to experience a broken bone, which is also called a fracture. Fractures related to osteoporosis are most common in the hip, wrist and spine.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Our specialists provide rheumatological consultations to adult patients at Hackensack University Medical Center at the request of all divisions and services. We also provide complete outpatient care. We take a team approach to rheumatology treatment and work closely with other medical specialists — including orthopedists and pain management physicians — to address your unique needs.

As rheumatologists, we focus on providing noninvasive treatments, such as medications that can be taken in pill form, by injection, or by intravenous (IV) infusion. Medications may include:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs treat pain and inflammation caused by arthritis and are available by prescription or over the counter.
• Corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are fast-acting drugs that control inflammation. They can be given by injection or in pill form.
• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). DMARDs can help slow the progression of disease and reduce inflammation. They can be given by mouth, by injection or by infusion.
• Biologics. Biologics are a type of DMARD that can be used to slow or stop the progression of disease. They are given by injection or infusion.
• JAK inhibitors. JAK inhibitors are a type of DMARD that blocks a specific pathway in your body’s immune response. They are given in pill form.