Preface

This textbook was written to provide concise, authoritative and current factual information germane to the care of patients with musculoskeletal complaints. Although written for rheumatologists, the content, organization and easy retrieval format contained herein makes this a practical textbook for trainees, internists, family practitioners, nurse practitioners, orthopedists, physiatrists and patients alike. Our collective clinical acumen and academic careers has been instrumental in compiling a textbook unique in its detail, brevity and usability. This edition has been updated, rewritten and renamed RheumaKnowledgy, with the advantage of being a online textbook – free for all to use.  RheumaKnowledgy is primarily an online textbook commited to regular updates, particularly in the areas of disease pathogenesis, novel treatment and drug safety or dosing.

Rheumatology is a branch of medicine that focuses on the biology, etiology, diagnosis and management of a variety of hundreds of musculoskeletal and systemic disorders. Rheumatolgic diseases may be idiopathic, infectious, reactive, inflammatory, autoimmune, degenerative, mechanical and, in some cases, genetic in origin. These disorders range from the common (tendonitis, bursitis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia) to the very uncommon (polymyositis, Still’s disease and IgG4-related disease). Rheumatic disorders are often perplexing to patients and physicians alike as distinctly different conditions target the same anatomic structures, via common pathogenic mechanisms and thusly share common symptoms and findings. For the non-rheumatologist, it may be difficult to distinguish and diagnose the more than 100 causes of arthritis. We believe and teach that many of these conditions can be easily recognized, diagnosed and treated by any clinician who is armed with comprehensive clinical skills, critical information and necessary resources.

Most clinicians have a good understanding of common rheumatic disorders, yet they are often challenged with specific questions regarding the optimal diagnosis and care of patients with musculoskeletal complaints. This text provides an ideal resource that meets the needs of daily practice by providing easily retrievable, template-driven information that can be accessed online, on mobile devices or by textbook.

RheumaKnowledgy is divided into 3 main sections (Diagnostics, Rheumatic Diseases, and Drugs/Treatment), each of which has succinct information presented alphabetically in an organized fashion. The net result is a text that is written to complement the manner in which it will be used – for rapid answers to questions about specific tests, examination maneuvers, joint injections, disease definitions, ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes, test CPT codes, disease complications, diagnostic criteria, drug uses, doses, and side effects. This new edition has updated and streamlined, and includes more than 30 new entries under diagnostic tests, diseases, and drugs. New entries under the Diagnosis section include CCP antibodies, sialography and ultrasound. The Diseases section includes several new entries on pediatric disorders (autoinflammatory disorders), and autoimmune hepatitis and IgG4-related disease. The Drug section has been updated and now includes chapters on many new agents including abatacept, apremilast, belimumab, canakinumab, certolizumab, denosumab, duloxitene, febuxostat, golimumab, milnacipram, pegloticase, pregabalin, tocilizumab, ustekinumab and zoledronic acid.

We believe that this new online textbook is designed for facile retrieval of useful information and will be an essential resource for the rheumatologist and those providing musculoskeletal care. The format and content of this text has been influenced by feedback from our trainees and peers. We welcome your comments and suggestions based on your use of this textbook, as these will help us enhance future editions of RheumaKnowledgy.com.

Please send your comments, suggestions or reviews to: info@rheumaknowledgy.com

John J. Cush, MD

Arthur Kavanaugh, MD

C. Michael Stein, MD