Rheumatology

The Ochsner rheumatology team diagnoses and treats a wide range of rheumatic conditions, including:

• Ankylosing spondylitis — arthritis that causes inflammation, pain and stiffness in the spine

• Gout — arthritis that causes the development of uric acid crystals in the joints

• Inflammatory muscle disease — long-term inflammation of the muscles

• Polymyalgia rheumatica — stiffness and pain that is typically concentrated in the hips and shoulders

• Psoriatic arthritis — arthritis that develops in people who have a skin condition called psoriasis

• Rheumatoid arthritis — an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack the joints

• Sjögren’s syndrome — an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack salivary and tear glands

• Scleroderma— an autoimmune disease that causes the skin to tighten and thicken and may impact other organs, joints, muscles or blood vessels

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) — the most common form of lupus, this autoimmune disease causes the immune system to attack the body’s tissues

• Systemic vasculitis — blood vessel inflammation

Our specially trained team provides leading-edge, evidence-based rheumatology care in a collaborative environment. While there are no cures for rheumatic conditions, many treatment options are available to help you manage your condition and be as healthy as possible.

Ochsner offers several rheumatology-specific drugs and biologic agents. Additionally, our team provides infusions in our infusion center. Other treatments may include lifestyle changes, nutrition services, occupational therapy or physical therapy.

Ochsner rheumatologists may use a musculoskeletal ultrasound to diagnose rheumatic conditions affecting joints, ligaments, muscles and other soft tissues. This technology uses sound waves to create 3D images of the inside of the body. Ochsner rheumatologists also use musculoskeletal ultrasound and other high-tech imaging technologies, such as bone density scans, to monitor changes in the body due to rheumatic conditions.

The Ochsner rheumatology team understands that rheumatic conditions can affect several parts of your body which can make life challenging. We take a multidisciplinary approach to providing holistic, comprehensive care tailored to your individual healthcare needs.

Our providers frequently collaborate and are well-versed in working with patients with complex needs. Ochsner rheumatology providers participate in several multidisciplinary clinics, including our dermatology rheumatology clinic. We also frequently partner with other Ochsner departments, such as:

• Cardiology

• Nephrology

• Orthopedics

• Podiatry

• Pulmonary medicine

Our team works closely with other Ochsner providers to help you coordinate care across our healthcare system. At some locations, we can help you schedule visits with multiple providers on the same day so you can get back to your usual routine faster. Virtual visits may also be available to established rheumatology patients.

Ochsner rheumatology experts provide comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases at several convenient locations in Louisiana and Mississippi, including in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Kenner and Lake Charles.

Ochsner rheumatology physicians are more than outstanding care providers. They are also leading researchers and teachers in the field.

Our team is active in research studies and clinical trials. We have been involved in research related to several rheumatic diseases and related conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriatic arthritis, vasculitis and systemic sclerosis.

We also take pride in training medical students, residents and fellows to become the next generation of rheumatology and internal medicine experts.

Rheumatologists treat and diagnose rheumatic conditions, a group of more than a hundred autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases. Learn more about rheumatology through the Ochsner “to your health” blog.

The immune system is the body’s natural way to protect itself from illness and infection. When bacteria, viruses or other potentially harmful organisms enter the body, the immune system takes action. Part of this process is inflammation, which helps start the healing process. A fever or a red, swollen area around a cut are types of inflammation.

In people with autoimmune diseases, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue the way it would normally fight off bacteria, viruses or other invaders. Similarly, chronic inflammation that targets healthy tissue is an autoinflammatory disease.

Autoimmune and autoinflammatory rheumatic diseases often affect the musculoskeletal system, which includes bones, connective tissue, joints and muscles. However, these conditions can affect several other parts of the body, too. In some cases, signs and symptoms of rheumatic diseases may come and go. A period of severe symptoms is called a flare-up.

Some common signs and symptoms of rheumatic diseases include:

• Extreme tiredness, or fatigue

• Frequent fevers without a clear cause

• Joint pain and stiffness

• Loss of appetite

• Muscle aches

• Shortness of breath

• Skin issues, such as dry and scaly skin, rashes or sores

• Swelling in the joints