Service details
Procedure details and treatment flow
Examination by a specialist rheumatologist
Rheumatology is a branch of internal medicine dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases. The very word "rheumatism" refers to the entire spectrum of various painful diseases that affect joints, ligaments, tendons, bones, muscles or other soft structures in the body.
These diseases can affect people of all ages, not just the elderly population as is often mistakenly believed. Their nature can be extremely complex, as they often affect internal organs in addition to the joints.
In our polyclinic in Kragujevac, we are dedicated to the early recognition and treatment of these conditions, with the aim of enabling patients to live without pain and carry out daily life and work activities without hindrance.
The importance of timely treatment: Rheumatic diseases can be acute, but very often take a chronic course.
It is very important to start the treatment correctly and on time, both for the quick relief of pain that occurs during the disease, and for the prevention of permanent deformities and maintaining the necessary mobility of certain joints and muscles.
When to visit a rheumatologist and what is being treated
Rheumatic diseases are most often manifested through disturbances in the movement system. Considering that the symptoms are often similar in different diseases, an examination by an experienced specialist is crucial for an accurate diagnosis.
Symptoms that require examination:
- Persistent pain in one or more joints, at rest or when moving
- Swelling, redness and a pronounced feeling of warmth around the joint
- Morning stiffness of the joints and spine lasting more than half an hour
- Limited mobility and difficulty in performing daily activities
- Unexplained, prolonged fatigue and weakness with the occasional appearance of a slightly elevated temperature
The most common rheumatic diseases:
- Inflammatory rheumatism: Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis.
- Degenerative rheumatism: Osteoarthritis (arthrosis of the hip, knee and small joints of the hands), extra-articular rheumatism.
- Systemic connective tissue diseases: Systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren's syndrome, scleroderma, dermato polymyositis and systemic vasculitis.
- Metabolic diseases of bones and joints: Gout and osteoporosis.
Examination flow and diagnostic process
In addition to a detailed clinical examination that includes checking the sensitivity, mobility and strength of the affected joints, the rheumatologist determines further specific tests that should be carried out in order to establish an accurate diagnosis and implement adequate treatment.
This process most often includes targeted laboratory blood analyzes (specific immune tests and inflammatory factors), X-ray imaging, as well as ultrasound of the joints. Based on the collected parameters, a strictly individual therapeutic plan is created that calms the inflammation, stops the progression of the disease and restores the patient's quality of life.