When Should You See a Rheumatologist?
MBChB (New Zealand), PGDipObstMedGyn, FRACP (New Zealand), FAMS (Rheumatology)
Joint pain, stiffness or tiredness can have many causes, and having one of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that an autoimmune or rheumatic condition is present. The difficulty is that some rheumatic diseases can begin gradually, with symptoms that seem unrelated or easy to put down to everyday strain.
A rheumatologist is trained to look at these patterns in context, particularly when symptoms persist, recur or involve more than one part of the body. Seeing a rheumatologist may be worth considering when ongoing symptoms raise concern about an inflammatory or autoimmune condition.
What Does a Rheumatologist Do?
Rheumatology is a medical specialty focused on conditions affecting the joints, muscles, bones and connective tissues, as well as autoimmune diseases that may affect several systems in the body.
A rheumatologist assesses whether symptoms may be related to inflammation, an autoimmune process, a crystal-related condition such as gout or another rheumatic disorder. This usually involves considering how symptoms have developed alongside medical history and examination findings. Blood tests or imaging may also be used where appropriate.
Their role is not limited to making a diagnosis. Rheumatologists may also provide ongoing care, with treatment adjusted according to the condition and how it changes over time.
What Conditions Does a Rheumatologist Treat?
Rheumatologists treat a variety of conditions, some of which primarily affect the joints, while others can involve the skin, muscles, blood vessels or internal organs.
Inflammatory Forms of Arthritis
Inflammatory arthritis occurs when inflammation within or around the joints contributes to pain, swelling and stiffness. Examples include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.
These conditions differ in the joints and tissues they tend to affect and in how their symptoms develop. A rheumatologist can assess these features to distinguish inflammatory arthritis from other causes of joint discomfort.
Autoimmune and Connective Tissue Diseases
Conditions such as lupus, Sjögren’s syndrome, scleroderma, vasculitis and myositis occur when immune activity affects the body’s own tissues.
Their symptoms are not always confined to one area. Depending on the condition, someone may experience joint problems alongside skin changes, muscle symptoms or effects involving other organs.
Other Rheumatic Conditions
Rheumatologists also manage conditions such as gout, calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and polymyalgia rheumatica.
The role of a rheumatologist will differ depending on the condition, including whether ongoing specialist treatment or monitoring is needed.
When Might It Be Time to See a Rheumatologist?
Not every episode of joint pain or fatigue requires a rheumatology appointment. Specialist assessment may be worth considering when ongoing symptoms raise concern about an inflammatory or autoimmune condition.
When Joint Pain, Swelling or Stiffness Does Not Settle
Joint symptoms may deserve closer attention when they do not settle as expected or begin to interfere with movement and daily activities. Persistent swelling, prolonged stiffness after waking or symptoms involving several joints can sometimes occur with inflammatory arthritis.When Symptoms Extend Beyond the Joints
Some rheumatic diseases affect more than the musculoskeletal system. Ongoing fatigue that does not improve with rest, unexplained rashes, recurrent fevers, muscle aches or muscle weakness may therefore be relevant, particularly when they occur alongside joint symptoms or repeatedly without a clear cause. Their significance depends on how they occur together, how long they last and whether other clinical findings point towards a rheumatic condition.When Medical History or Pregnancy Raises Additional Questions
Family history can sometimes provide useful context. Having a relative with an autoimmune or connective tissue disease does not mean that the same condition will develop, but persistent symptoms that could be consistent with such a condition may warrant further assessment. For someone already living with an autoimmune condition, pregnancy planning can raise additional questions about disease control, monitoring and whether treatment needs to be reviewed. Specialist input before or during pregnancy may therefore form part of coordinated care depending on the condition and individual circumstances.
Consider a Rheumatology Assessment for Ongoing Symptoms With Dr Poh Yih Jia
Rheumatic conditions can present in different ways, and no single symptom confirms that specialist care is required. However, symptoms that do not settle or begin to affect daily activities may warrant medical assessment, particularly when there are other signs of inflammation or autoimmune disease.
At the Centre for Rheumatology & Arthritis, patients seeking rheumatology in Singapore can receive assessment and ongoing care for a range of rheumatic and autoimmune conditions. Dr Poh Yih Jia is a senior consultant rheumatologist with more than 20 years of medical experience, including subspecialty expertise in autoimmune diseases in pregnancy.
If ongoing symptoms are raising concern about a possible rheumatic condition, get in touch with the Centre for Rheumatology & Arthritis to book an appointment for an individual assessment.
FAQs About Seeing a Rheumatologist
It can help to bring a list of current medications, relevant medical records and copies of previous blood test or imaging results if available. Keeping a brief note of when symptoms started, how they have changed and whether anything seems to trigger or relieve them can also help provide useful context during the consultation.
A first rheumatology consultation usually involves a review of symptoms, medical history and any previous investigations. The rheumatologist may also examine the joints, muscles or other relevant areas. Depending on the findings, further blood tests or imaging may be recommended to help clarify the cause of your symptoms and whether treatment or monitoring is needed.
A rheumatologist mainly manages inflammatory, autoimmune and other rheumatic conditions using non-surgical treatment. An orthopaedic surgeon focuses more on structural problems involving the bones, joints and surrounding tissues and may provide surgical treatment when appropriate. The most suitable specialist depends on the likely cause of the symptoms.
About Our Doctor
Dr Poh Yih Jia is a senior consultant rheumatologist with a special interest in lupus, arthritis and the
management of autoimmune diseases during pregnancy. Before entering private practice, she spent over a
decade at Singapore General Hospital, where she established the Rheumatology Obstetrics Clinic and
spearheaded the development of its multidisciplinary Gout Clinic.
Her work extends beyond clinical practice to improving how rheumatological conditions are managed. Dr
Poh has contributed to regional lupus collaborations and served on the expert panel for the Ministry of
Health Agency for Care Effectiveness (ACE) Clinical Guidance on Gout. She has also been actively
involved in rheumatology research, medical education and the training of future specialists.
