Expert rheumatology care in East Texas for autoimmune and musculoskeletal conditions
At UT Health East Texas, our rheumatologists provide expert care for a broad range of musculoskeletal and systemic autoimmune diseases. These conditions frequently result in pain, swelling, and deformity in bones, joints, and muscles, and can extend to affect the eyes, skin, nervous system, and internal organs. Our facility is thoughtfully designed to ensure easy accessibility for patients with mobility challenges. We also offer additional conveniences through our on-site pharmacy, which participates in a Medication Assistance Program and offers services such as home delivery of medications and curbside pickup.
Conditions we treat at our rheumatology clinic
Our rheumatology specialists at UT Health North Campus Tyler provide comprehensive care for a wide range of conditions, including:
- Ankylosing spondylitis: This chronic inflammatory disease causes the vertebrae in the spine to fuse, resulting in a decreased range of motion and a forward-stooped posture.
- Arthralgias/joint pain: This condition involves discomfort, pain, or inflammation in any part of a joint, including cartilage, bone, ligaments, tendons, or muscles.
- Arthritis: This term refers to a group of conditions that affect the joints and surrounding tissues. It is characterized by pain, swelling, and stiffness.
- Costochondritis: This condition is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone (sternum), which can result in chest pain.
- Giant cell arteritis: This inflammatory disease affects the large and medium arteries of the head and neck, leading to symptoms like severe headaches and scalp tenderness.
- Gout: This form of inflammatory arthritis is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, and redness in the joints, often occurring at the base of the big toe.
- Granulomatous disease: This refers to a group of disorders characterized by the formation of granulomas, which are clusters of immune cells that form in response to chronic inflammation.
- Interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis: This group of disorders involves chronic inflammation and scarring of the lung tissue, leading to progressive difficulty in breathing.
- Lupus: This is a systemic autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, affecting the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, and other organs.
- Myositis: This is an inflammation of the muscles, often causing weakness, swelling, and pain.
- Osteoporosis: This condition involves the weakening of bones, making them more susceptible to sudden and unexpected fractures.
- Positive ANA (antinuclear antibody): This test result indicates the presence of antinuclear antibodies in the blood, which can suggest the presence of an autoimmune disorder.
- Pseudogout: Similar to gout, this condition is caused by the deposition of calcium pyrophosphate crystals in the joints, leading to painful swelling.
- Psoriatic arthritis: This type of arthritis affects some people who have psoriasis. It is characterized by joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, which can accompany the skin lesions associated with psoriasis.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: This is an autoimmune disorder that primarily affects joints, resulting in warm, swollen, and painful joints due to inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis care typically includes medications such as NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), as well as physical therapy and, in severe cases, surgery to repair or replace damaged joints.
- Scleroderma/systemic sclerosis: This group of autoimmune diseases involves the hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues.
- Sjögren’s syndrome: This autoimmune disorder involves the glands that produce tears and saliva, leading to dry mouth and dry eyes, among other symptoms.
- Vasculitis: This condition involves the inflammation of the blood vessels, which can cause thickening, weakening, narrowing, and scarring, affecting blood flow to tissues and organs.
Early diagnosis and treatment is important in restoring a patient’s quality of life and can help prevent any long-term complications due to undiagnosed diseases. That’s why it’s important to schedule regular health screenings. Learn more about our screening services.
