Question

Can rheumatologists perform surgery? Are rheumatologists similar to orthopaedic surgeons?

Can rheumatologists perform surgery? Are rheumatologists similar to orthopaedic surgeons?

Answer

Rheumatology is a specialty within the specialty of internal medicine. Their patients are treated mostly with medication and some physical therapy.

Orthopedics is a surgical specialty - and therefore their patients are all treated surgically.

There is some correlation between the two specialties. Rheumatologists will refer patients to orthopedic surgeons if the patient has, say, a knee all locked up with osteoarthritis and needs to have it replaced. Orthopedic surgeons who see patients with rheumatology-type symptoms will refer their patients to a rheumatologist.

Rheumatologists do not practice surgery unless they have been specifically trained to do so. I don't know any rheumatologists who have both specialties (and I know several of these specialists)

See the two citations below for more info.

Unanswered