Arthritis and rheumatic diseases are a primary cause of disability for adults.
Many people use the word “arthritis” to refer all types of joint and rheumatic diseases. Arthritis and rheumatic diseases, however, encompass more than joint inflammation. These diseases may not only affect joints, muscles, and bones, but often multiple other organ systems.
The rheumatic or inflammatory diseases include such conditions as:
The other metabolic or degenerative bone and joint diseases include:
Although not specifically a rheumatic or degenerative disease, fibromyalgia, a condition involving musculoskeletal pain, is also diagnosed and treated within the discipline of rheumatology.
An estimated 43 million Americans have some form of arthritis or rheumatic disease. Arthritis and rheumatic diseases remain as a primary cause of disability among adults.
James E. Engelbrecht, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.R., Board-Certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, is a rheumatologist who has helped patients in the Black Hills area for the past 25 years. Jennifer. K. May, M.D., Board-Certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology received Fellowship training in the discipline of Rheumatology from the Mayo Clinic.
Dr. Engelbrecht and Dr. May work closely with a patients’ primary care doctors, orthopedic physicians and other specialists to provide accurate diagnosis and treatment plans for these diseases. They also provide patient’s and their families with education and treatment plans intended to alter the course of the disease, prevent disability, or at least help them cope with the changes caused by their condition.
Individuals with certain medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis are being treated with new medications that significantly improve symptoms and quality of life. These medications may be given intravenously or by injection. Shari A. Fechner, C.N.P., M.S.N., administers the infusion therapy services in addition to providing patient education and follow-up care.
Additional patient education related to arthritis and rheumatic diseases may be found at Mayo Clinic.