Rheumatologist in Zagreb
Rheumatology
Rheumatology deals with inflammatory diseases of the musculoskeletal system. As well as the bones and joints, rheumatic diseases also affect internal organs such as the lungs, kidneys, skin, digestive system, brain and eyes.
At a glance
Rheumatologist and physiatrist
An examination by a specialist rheumatologist or physiatrist and an assessment of your condition.
Tests
After the examination, the doctor orders rheumatological and immunological tests.
Exercise
Exercise is an integral part of treatment; physiotherapists and kinesiologists help you keep it up.
No referral needed
The polyclinic is private, so no referral is needed.
When should you see a rheumatologist?
Early detection of inflammatory rheumatic diseases is key to treating them. Any joint swelling, redness or joint stiffness that cannot be linked to an injury means that an inflammatory rheumatic disease must be ruled out.
If you have swollen joints, skin changes, morning stiffness in your hands and lower back, or pain at night, see a rheumatologist or a physiatrist. After examining you and assessing your condition, they will order rheumatological and immunological tests, prescribe the first-line medicines for such conditions and, based on the test results, start the best medicines for your condition.
What causes rheumatic diseases?
Rheumatic diseases have a hereditary basis and are associated with certain genes and with the major histocompatibility complex (HLA – human leukocyte antigens). Stress, bacteria, viruses and smoking can trigger an immune process that then activates cells which attack the joints – the joint linings, the cartilage and the points where tendons and ligaments attach to bone (the entheses) – as well as the blood vessels of almost all organs.
Areas of rheumatology
Systemic diseases in rheumatology
Systemic diseases in rheumatology, physiatry and immunology affect not only the bones, joints and muscles but also all other organs and organ systems, such as the digestive, respiratory, urinary, reproductive, visual, nervous, cardiovascular, haematological, endocrine and skin systems, among others.
Arthritis
Arthritis is the name for a group of diseases that affect the joints but can also affect other body tissues and organs. It can affect a single joint (monoarthritis) or 2 to 5 joints (oligoarthritis), while involvement of more than 5 joints is called polyarthritis.
Spondyloarthritis
Arthritis that affects the spine as well as the peripheral joints is called spondyloarthritis (seronegative spondyloarthropathies and seronegative spondyloarthritis).
Metabolic and endocrine diseases
Bone and cartilage are not inert; they are living, metabolically active tissues that respond to any change in the body's metabolism. Endocrine disorders – disorders of the glands of internal secretion – also have a direct effect on the metabolic and musculoskeletal systems.
Haematological and malignant diseases
Arthritis and arthropathies associated with malignant and haematological diseases are common, and are sometimes the first sign of a haematological or malignant disease. A frequent sign is weakness and pain in the joints and muscles, and sometimes a bone fracture after a minor injury.
Bone and cartilage diseases
Bone and cartilage diseases are often linked and sometimes form an inseparable whole. They can be congenital or degenerative, or the result of inflammation or infection. Osteoarthritis, whether primary or secondary, is one of the most common diseases of all.
Hereditary and congenital bone and joint diseases
Bone and joint dysplasias are hereditary and congenital diseases with varied causes that affect both structure and function. Examples of this group include Marfan syndrome, Ehlers–Danlos syndrome and osteogenesis imperfecta, among many others.
Vasculitis
Some forms of vasculitis are typical of a particular age group, others of one sex, and there are also ethnic and clinical differences. Vasculitis is sometimes part of another inflammatory rheumatic disease, a malignancy or a haematological disease, and sometimes a disease in its own right.
Regional musculoskeletal problems and non-articular disorders
Unlike systemic diseases, regional musculoskeletal disorders have a localised presentation; they are associated with repetitive movements and overuse syndromes, as well as inflammatory degenerative syndromes.
Infection-related arthritis
Infections can cause joint and muscle diseases both directly and indirectly. Direct causes include bacterial arthritis caused by streptococci and staphylococci, Lyme disease (borreliosis) and various exotic diseases that can be brought to Croatia through tourism.
Treatment of rheumatic diseases
The treatment of rheumatic diseases varies widely, from treating the cause to treating the symptoms. Almost the whole of pharmacology – from antibiotics, opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cytostatics, corticosteroids and anaesthetics to biological medicines – is used to treat this group of diseases.
Treatment
As well as medicines, natural products are also needed – our food provides them in abundance, but we often forget about them in the rush and stress of daily life. Exercise is essential for reducing stress and improving fitness, and it is an integral part of treatment.
A specialist rheumatologist and a physiatrist are the best choice for diagnosing and treating inflammatory rheumatic diseases, and the physiotherapists and kinesiologists at the Faktor Zdravlje medical centre will help you keep up your exercises and reduce pain and restricted movement. Early detection and treatment lead to remission and control of inflammatory rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, vasculitis and other inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
Tests at the polyclinic
Capillaroscopy
A painless examination of the nailfold capillaries that helps in the early detection of connective tissue diseases and in monitoring Raynaud's phenomenon.
Ultrasound in rheumatology
In traumatic and/or inflammatory-degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system, diagnostic ultrasound complements the clinical examination and makes it possible to visualise inflammation of the joint lining (synovium), erosive changes and other damage to the bone surface.
Rheumatologists at the polyclinic
Dr Šime Mijić
specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation, rheumatology subspecialist
Harvard Medical School · Charité Berlin · member of the American College of Rheumatology
Dr Dejan Miščević
specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation, rheumatology subspecialist
member of the ISPRM (International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine)
Appointments and contact
Book an appointment
01 3737 333Mobile: 099 3737 333
Email: info@faktorzdravlje.com
Monday to Friday from 8 am to 8 pm, and on Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm.
