What should i expect for my first rheumatology appointment?

Thorough work-up: Workup for arthritis requires taking thorough history, careful physical examination, and sophisticated laboratory and imaging workup.

Evaluation: A detailed history and physical , and depending on this you may get addicional lab work , routine or specialized acording to what is the suspected diagnosis. Imaging may be used to confirm a diagnosis.

First rheum visit: Typically a rheumatology visit consists of being asked your medical history and then a complete physical exam. Th erheuamtologist will want to check your skin, joints, and muscles. Based on the findings, there may X-rays or blood work ordered. Other tests such as an MRI could be ordered.

A very intense visit: My patients are astonished at the length of my patients questionaire and ros. Expect to have a thorough examination. Wear clothing appropriate for an exam. All your joints will be looked at and you will be thoroughly examined in areas where problems might exist. It is a time intensive first visit.

H;P first: First and foremost is a thorough h;p as rheumatology is a cognitive specialty and most diagnoses require clinical criteria. Prior review of records helps and additional labs/ imaging are ordered in most consults. Joint aspiration/ injections may be needed on an initial visit especially synovial fluid analysis.

Medical work up : You should expect a history, physical and maybe lab tests depending on your signs and symptoms.