Rheumatology
Treatments and Services

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Leading Treatments for Rheumatologic Conditions

The Division of Rheumatology is committed to providing high-quality specialized care for your child’s unique needs. Our clinics provide a range of services at convenient locations. As a large group of dedicated pediatric rheumatologists, we offer easy access to diagnosis, treatment and education that draws patients from all over the United States and globally.

We have our general rheumatology clinics where we care for children, adolescents, and young adults with all types of rheumatologic concerns. We also have specialized clinics for juvenile myositis, autoinflammatory diseases, lupus, uveitis, neuroinflammatory disorders and dermatologic concerns. We provide a comprehensive approach to caring for our pediatric patients.

Treatments

We use imaging and biopsies to help with diagnosis. For example, with juvenile myositis we use these tools to understand how patients’ muscles are being affected. Our care is informed by other novel tests to make decisions about how to best manage your disease. This includes video nailfold capillaroscopy and musculoskeletal ultrasound. These are imaging tools (which are painless and do not use radiation) that help us determine the amount of active inflammation that may be present inside your/your child’s nail fold blood vessels, joint(s), salivary glands and lungs. We also offer routine screening and support for mental health issues and cognitive dysfunction.

Other tools like mental health and cognitive dysfunction screening may be used.

Many rheumatic diseases are treated with medications that lower the activity of the immune system (immunosuppressives). These medication classes include disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologics that target specific proteins involved in the immune pathway. We also often use steroids and NSAIDS as well. Steroids are fast-acting and reduce inflammation in the body. NSAIDS treat pain and mild inflammation.  
Rheumatology-specific physical and occupational therapy is available for our patients. PT/OT helps children keep and improve their ability to do the everyday activities they enjoy. Our occupational and physical therapists evaluate each child and create a home exercise plan made just for them. They also teach children and their families how to manage their condition and stay as active as possible. Therapy visits can happen on the same day as the child’s doctor’s visit. 
We still have a lot to learn when it comes to rheumatic diseases. Research helps us learn more about these rare diseases. Our patients can participate in research, including national and international studies, through our general and specialty clinics. Our researchers are at the forefront of understanding the causes of rheumatic diseases as well as finding effective tools to improve the lives of children with rheumatic diseases. Additionally, we are leaders in clinical trials of new medications for pediatric rheumatic disease as part of the Pediatric Rheumatology Collaborative Study Group.

Clinics

The Autoinflammatory Disease Center offers specialized, multidisciplinary care for children with periodic fever and autoinflammatory syndromes. We provide expert long-term care in conjunction with other specialists from immunology, pulmonology, physical and occupational therapy, nutrition and behavioral medicine. Our center offers access to treatments and resources for achieving the best outcomes. Furthermore, our researchers are at the forefront of evaluating the causes of periodic fever and autoinflammatory syndromes and identifying new treatments to improve the lives of children with these conditions. 
The General Rheumatology Clinic comprises the largest team of pediatric rheumatologists in the Midwest and serves as an important resource for patients in Greater Cincinnati and beyond. Our vision is to improve the lives of children with rheumatic diseases. To achieve these goals, we are committed to patient- and family-centered care, the education of future rheumatologists and incorporating research opportunities that will lead to an improved understanding of diseases and identify effective therapies. We also have a team ready to provide additional support for patients and families where needed. These critical team members include nurses and medical assistants, a pharmacist, an insurance verification representative, a dietician, patient representatives specifically supporting our patients, a social worker and a financial assistance liaison.

The Lupus Center provides comprehensive care for children, adolescents and young adults with lupus and related diseases. We provide multidisciplinary, long-term care in conjunction with other specialists from nephrology, dermatology, physical and occupational therapy, nutrition, and behavioral medicine. Our center offers access to treatments and resources for achieving the best outcomes. Furthermore, our researchers are at the forefront of evaluating the causes of lupus and new drugs that might be effective in children with lupus. Learn more about our Lupus Center 

Learn more about our Lupus Center
In partnership with our Multiple Sclerosis Neuroimmunology Center, we provide multidisciplinary evaluation and care for patients with concerns for inflammation of the brain, spinal cord and nerves. Our team includes a rheumatologist, neuroimmunologist, neuro-ophthalmologist, nurse coordinator, physical and occupational therapists, dietician and behavioral medicine specialists, and neuropsychologists. Our center offers access to treatments and resources for achieving the best outcomes. Furthermore, our researchers are at the forefront of understanding inflammatory diseases affecting the brain, spinal cord and nerves and identifying potential tools for improving the lives of children with these conditions.
Learn about our Multiple Sclerosis Neuroimmunology Center
As a Cure JM center of excellence, children with myositis (inflammation of the muscles) and related diseases will receive expert specialized care and comprehensive support. We provide multidisciplinary, long-term care in conjunction with other specialists from dermatology, physical and occupational therapy, nutrition and behavioral medicine. Our center offers access to treatments and resources for achieving the best outcomes. Furthermore, our researchers are at the forefront of evaluating the causes of myositis and new studies to improve the lives of children with myositis.
 
The combined rheumatology and dermatology clinic offers convenient and collaborative care options for children with rheumatic diseases complicated by complex rashes and other skin involvement. In this clinic, patients will see both a dermatologist and a rheumatologist on the same day (often at the same time). Discussion of diagnosis and care options are made together as a group.
Our rheumatologists work closely with eye specialists who treat uveitis to give the best care possible to our patients. Our goal is to help children with rheumatic diseases feel better and have healthy eyes. Also, our researchers are internationally known. They are looking at what causes uveitis and how to check for it. They also look at how it affects a child’s daily life and overall well-being.
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