❏ Rheumatology is a medical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases. Rheumatic diseases primarily affect the joints, muscles, and bones, but they can also involve other organ systems in the body. Some common rheumatic diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lupus, gout, ankylosing spondylitis, and fibromyalgia.

❏ Rheumatologists are physicians who specialize in the field of rheumatology. They are trained to diagnose and manage a wide range of rheumatic diseases, which often involve chronic pain, inflammation, and impaired function. Rheumatologists use various diagnostic techniques, such as medical history evaluation, physical examinations, laboratory tests, and imaging studies, to determine the underlying cause of a patient's symptoms.