Diseases We Treat
Rheumatic Diseases and Conditions
Rheumatic diseases can affect any part of the body and take many forms, including all types of arthritis. These diseases cause inflammation and severe pain in the joints and muscles. The end result can be debilitating, substantially affecting an individual’s quality of life and ability to perform even the simplest activities.
Rheumatology Fast Facts
- Over 11 million people in the U.S. have a rheumatic disease
- Over 1.3 million people have rheumatoid arthritis
- 8.4% of women will develop a rheumatic disease in their lifetime
The goal of Columbus Arthritis Center physicians is to find the right treatment, including comprehensive disease management and patient education, to restore the patient’s health and quality of life. You can have peace of mind knowing we are committed to providing the highest quality patient care.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a rheumatic disease that causes arthritis of the spine and sacroiliac joints and can cause inflammation of the eyes, lungs, and heart valves.
Exercise and Arthritis
People who are physically active are healthier and live longer than people who are inactive. This is true for everyone but especially for people with arthritis.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia, sometimes called fibrositis, is a common condition that is associated with widespread aching, stiffness and fatigue, and originates in muscles and soft tissues.
Giant Cell Arteritis
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a condition in which certain arteries become inflamed. It is also called temporal arteritis, as it often affects the arteries near the temples, although it can involve arteries in just about any part of the body.
Gout
Known as “the disease of kings and the king of diseases,” gout has caused suffering in humans at least since the days of Hippocrates. Formerly a leading cause of chronic arthritis, gout has been all but conquered by advances in research.
Lupus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (also called SLE or lupus) causes a variety of problems. It may cause skin rashes, arthritis, anemia, seizures or psychiatric illness, and often affects internal organs including the kidneys, lungs and heart.
Myopathies
Autoimmune myopathies are a group of diseases that involve inflammation of the muscles and may be associated with diseases of internal organs.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA), or degenerative joint disease, is the most common form of arthritis. It most often affects middle-aged and older people, involving the neck, lower back, knees, hips and fingers.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a decrease in bone mass and strength causing increased susceptibility to fractures. It is the major cause of bone fractures in older people, especially postmenopausal women.
Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a disorder generally seen in people over age 50 that causes stiffness and aching in the neck, shoulder and hip areas. Other symptoms may include fatigue, weight loss, low grade fever and depression.
Pseudogout
Pseudogout refers to gout-like attacks, characterized by acute localized pain and swelling, that occur in patients with calcium crystal deposits in the joints.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis, a chronic skin and nail disease.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease that causes pain, stiffness, swelling and loss of function in the joints and inflammation in other body organs.
Scleroderma
There are two types of scleroderma. Localized scleroderma affects the skin in limited areas and the musculoskeletal system.
Sjorgren’s Syndrome
Sjogren’s syndrome is a disorder of the immune system, which normally functions to protect the body against cancers and invading infections.
Tendinitis / Bursitis
Tendinitis is inflammation or irritation of a tendon. Bursitis is inflammation or irritation of a bursa. Bursae are small sacs located between bone and other moving structures such as muscles, skin or tendons.