The rheumatology team at UMass Memorial Health – HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital, Leominster, MA, cares for patients who have arthritis or diseases in the joints, bones, and muscles. Being diagnosed with a rheumatic disease can be worrisome, but our experts can help you live well and help you understand the best treatment options.

If you are experiencing pain that lasts more than a few days, have a family history of rheumatic disorders, experience symptoms of an autoimmune or rheumatic disease, or symptoms worsen over a short period of time, ask your doctor for a referral to our rheumatology team.
 

Rheumatology Diseases We Treat

A board-certified rheumatologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, including:

• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Arthritis
• Connective tissue disease
• Gout/pseudogout
• Lupus
• Osteoarthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Plaque psoriasis 
• Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis
• Polymyalgia
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Scleroderma
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Treatments

Depending on your diagnosis, your physician will recommend treatment. In many cases, the quicker the diagnosis and treatment starts, the more chance there is to prevent permanent damage. Treatments include:

• Medication
• Education on ways to improve quality of life
• Physical therapy
• Referrals to other specialists
• Joint and tendon injections
• Surgery
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What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease where your immune system attacks your healthy cells causing joint pain, stiffness and swelling. Other symptoms may include loss of energy and appetite, firm lumps near the elbows or in the hands, low-grade fever or a warm feeling in joints.
 

Treatments for RA

We will discuss the best options that can relieve symptoms and help you return to day-to-day activities. Often this is done with medications and lifestyle changes. With the right management, your disease may go into remission where you don’t experience any symptoms.