Rheumatology
Arthritis and other diseases of the joints, muscles and bones can be debilitating. At Texas Orthopedics, we are fortunate to be able to offer the services of rheumatologist Dr. Robert J. Koval, Jr. A rheumatologist is an internist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis and certain other autoimmune diseases.
Dr. Koval's expert care and treatment includes the following diseases:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis - a long-lasting autoimmune disease that causes the synovium, a membrane that lines our joints, to become inflamed and painful. It also causes joint swelling and deterioration. Pain, stiffness and swelling are usually ongoing symptoms, even during rest.
- Osteoarthritis - the most common type of arthritis, affecting approximately 21 million Americans. It causes the cartilage covering the end of the bones to gradually wear away, resulting in painful bone on bone rubbing.
- Gout - a disorder that can cause sudden joint pain. It occurs most commonly in the big toe, although it may affect other joints. Gout is caused by the buildup of uric acid, a substance found naturally in the body and in certain foods.
- Lupus - an autoimmune disorder that has a wide variety of symptoms, so it can often be confused with other diseases. Lupus can be fatal and affects the joints, kidneys and skin. Proper diagnosis and treatment have significantly increased these patients' quality of life and their life expectancy.
- Osteoporosis - the most common bone disease, osteoporosis causes progressive bone loss and increases the risk of fractures.
- Fibromyalgia - a chronic condition that causes widespread pain and tender points on muscles. Lifestyle changes, physical therapy and some medications may help ease the symptoms. Many types of rheumatic diseases are not easily identifiable in the early stages. A correct diagnosis is essential to proper disease treatment and management.
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Psoriatic Arthritis
- Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome
- Dermatomyositis
- Sjogren's Syndrome
- Vasculitis
- Scleroderma
- Lyme Disease
- Pseudogout
- Relapsing Polychondritis
- Reactive Arthritis
- Raynaud's Disease
Expertise in the use of the following medications:
Call to schedule a consultation with Dr. Koval at (512) 439-1001 or request an appointment online at Texas Orthopedics with six locations in Austin, Texas.
PATIENT RESOURCES
Below you will find links to patient education resources the doctors at Texas Orthopedics recommend regarding rheumatology.
Patient Education
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