Rheumatology
At Allina Health, our team of highly skilled rheumatology experts is committed to your well-being. They provide personalized, comprehensive care that focuses on the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory conditions of the immune system as well as the musculoskeletal system (joints, muscles, bones, skin and other soft tissue). The rheumatology care team at Allina Health understands the unique challenges associated with these conditions and remains dedicated to helping you live your best life. You can rest assured that your care team is with you every step of the way, providing expertise, resources and compassionate care.
Inflammatory (or rheumatic) conditions, such as arthritis, autoimmune disease, lupus and other musculoskeletal disorders, can limit your ability to do basic day-to-day activities. Symptoms may include:
- swelling
- joint pain
- joint stiffness
- redness in an affected area of the body
- loss of or limited function/movement in an affected area of the body
Arthritis and autoimmune disease care at Allina Health
At Allina Health, you have access to an integrated team of rheumatology providers – including medical doctors (MDs), doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs) and physician assistants (PAs) – who provide specialized care for a range of inflammatory conditions, including:
- rheumatoid arthritis
- psoriatic arthritis
- inflammatory myositis
- vasculitis
- scleroderma
- gout
- lupus
- other autoimmune and soft tissue diseases
- osteoporosis
Your team will work with you through the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of a condition, taking a comprehensive approach to your total well-being, which includes your body, mind and spirit.
How to connect
Contact your primary care provider to determine whether rheumatology care is the best next step for you. Your primary care provider can:
- evaluate your symptoms
- provide a physical examination
- order initial lab work and testing
- provide insight into the type of specialized care you may need for your condition
What to expect
Your rheumatology provider will work with you and your primary care provider to gather all the information needed to evaluate and diagnose your condition. This will likely include:
- lab work
- imaging
- thorough health history
- physical examination
Some of this information may be obtained from your primary care provider before your first visit.
Together, you and your provider will discuss any diagnosis as well as all treatment options and develop a treatment plan that best meets your overall needs.
Integrated rheumatology care at Allina Health
Your rheumatology providers may partner with other Allina Health specialists, when necessary, for conditions that may require additional specialized care. Examples of this type of care include pain management, orthopedics and mental health support, as well as integrative (holistic) medicine at the Penny George® Institute for Health and Healing.
This integrated approach to your care gives you peace of mind that you are truly part of one team that is seamlessly connected – a team that knows you, understands your medical needs and is there to address all your concerns as you receive the highest quality care.
We also provide you tools to be actively involved in your care. One way you can do that is through the Allina Health account, an online tool that lets you track appointments, review test results, access electronic records, communicate with your team and more.