Rheumatoid Arthritis

[WamWammy]

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Hi all! I am very interested in pm&r. However, I was wondering what role a physiatrist plays - and what opportunities are available for a physiatrist - in the management of RA. Any insight is much appreicated!

Thanks! 😎

I forgot to mention that I'll be a first year med student in August so I'm not really thinking about residency....yet. Just wanting to get a feel for things.

 

[buddy 2004]

Physiatrists usually seen RA only when they come in for joint replacement. Treatment of RA is done by Rheumatologists. If a referral is made to physiatry for outpatient management, then it is time for the patient to find another rheumatolgist.

 

[axm397]

Hi all! I am very interested in pm&r. However, I was wondering what role a physiatrist plays - and what opportunities are available for a physiatrist - in the management of RA. Any insight is much appreicated!

Thanks! 😎

I forgot to mention that I'll be a first year med student in August so I'm not really thinking about residency....yet. Just wanting to get a feel for things.

At RIC we have an arthritis center where physiatrists work with rheumatologists in managing patients with RA and OA. The rheumatologists primarily work on medication management while the physiatrists help with therapy and modalities. A few years ago, one of the RIC residents did an "unofficial fellowship" in arthritis - and our chair, Dr. Roth thought that arthritis management will be very marketable in the future.

We also take care of patients with severe JRA and RA by working with them on augmentive technologies and assistive devices. (we have had a few inpatients) We also can manage their pain and inflammation with medications and interventions. Therapists also help with making these patients become what we call "modified independent" meaning thinking of ways for these patients to perform their ADLs and mobility tasks by themselves without the assistance of another human being.

So basically, rheumatologists deal with the diagnosis and pharmacological (and sometimes interventional) treatment of RA. Physiatrists deal with the sequelae of RA including limited mobility, decreased ability to perform ADLs, and pain/inflammation management.

oh yeah - we also get referrals from rheumatologists to do electrodiagnostic testing on patients with RA for various reasons most common being compression neuropathy.

 

[WamWammy]

Thanks for the great info!!