cover
feature
Praveena Gorantla, M.D., rheumatologist with Via Christi Clinic, with a patient
By Melissa Lacey Nagy
Striking one of every five U.S. adUltS — more than 46 million people — and
affecting all genderS, ageS and raceS, arthritiS iS the nation'S leading
caUSe of diSability, according to the arthritiS foUndation. medical care
and other coStS related to the more than 100 typeS of arthritiS reach
$128 billion annUally.
AN
oFTEN-mISUNDERSTooD DISEASE
by
myths, arthritis can
rob patients of their quality of life. It's
important for primary care physicians
to understand the benefits of partnering
with rheumatologists in patient care.
"Unfortunately, once damage to
the joints has occurred, it is rarely
possible to reverse," says Teresa A.
Reynolds, M.D., of Via Christi Clinic
Rheumatology in Wichita. "Patients
should be seen by a rheumatologist as
soon as the diagnosis of inflammatory
arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis,
is considered."
SURRoUNDED
6
| Greater Kansas MD News
■ mDNEWS.Com
What Is a Rheumatologist?
Rheumatology is a subspecialty of
internal medicine. Rheumatologists are
experts in the diagnosis, treatment and
medical management of patients with
various arthritis and systemic autoimmune/rheumatic diseases.
What Do Rheumatologists
Treat?
Rheumatologists do not treat only
arthritis but also certain autoimmune
and musculoskeletal diseases, and osteoporosis. Via Christi Clinic Rheumatology
features five board-certified, fellowshiptrained physicians with more than 60
years of collective experience. They
commonly see and treat:
+ Arthritic illnesses, such as rheumatoid
arthritis (RA); psoriatic arthritis; reactive arthritis; ankylosing spondylitis
and other spondyloarthropathies;
and crystal diseases, such as gout
and pseudogout
+ Systemic rheumatic diseases, including lupus; Sjögren's sy ndrome;
PhoToS © ViA ChRiSTi heALTh
Partners in Patient-Centered
Care of Arthritis and More
