For patients living with chronic joint pain, inflammation and autoimmune conditions, finding specialized care can sometimes mean traveling outside the community. Soon, patients in Stillwater and north-central Oklahoma will have access to rheumatology care closer to home.
Stillwater Medical is expanding its specialty services with the upcoming opening of Stillwater Rheumatology, a new clinic dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment and long-term management of inflammatory arthritis, autoimmune diseases and other complex rheumatologic conditions.
Rheumatology is a medical specialty focused on conditions that affect the joints, muscles, bones and immune system. While many people associate rheumatology primarily with arthritis, rheumatologists also care for a wide range of systemic diseases that can affect multiple parts of the body.
Stillwater Rheumatology will provide evaluation and treatment for conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, vasculitis, Sjögren’s syndrome, gout, ankylosing spondylitis and other spondyloarthropathies, inflammatory myopathies, connective tissue diseases and other complex rheumatologic disorders.
Dr. Meeshal Khan, the rheumatologist joining Stillwater Medical, said her clinical interests center on patients with inflammatory and autoimmune rheumatologic diseases.
“My goal is to provide comprehensive rheumatologic care for patients in Stillwater and the surrounding communities, particularly those living with inflammatory arthritis, autoimmune disease and other systemic rheumatologic conditions,” Khan said.
Many rheumatic diseases can develop gradually, with symptoms that may initially seem unrelated or difficult to explain. Persistent joint pain, swelling, stiffness and fatigue can interfere with work, exercise, hobbies and everyday activities.
Some symptoms may warrant a conversation with a primary care provider about whether a rheumatology referral is appropriate. These can include joint pain lasting several weeks, swollen or warm joints, morning stiffness lasting 30 minutes or longer, recurring episodes of inflammation, persistent fatigue accompanied by joint pain or unexplained muscle aches and weakness. Patients with positive autoimmune blood tests or symptoms suggesting an inflammatory or autoimmune disease may also benefit from specialized evaluation.
Early diagnosis can be especially important for inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. Identifying the underlying cause of symptoms can help patients begin appropriate treatment, manage inflammation and protect their joints and overall health.
“Rheumatic diseases can affect much more than a person’s joints, and getting to the right diagnosis can sometimes be a complex process,” Khan said. “I’m looking forward to working with patients and their healthcare providers to better understand their symptoms, develop individualized treatment plans and help patients manage their health over the long term.”
Care at Stillwater Rheumatology will be individualized and coordinated with each patient’s primary care provider and, when appropriate, other specialists. The clinic will also offer joint injections when clinically appropriate, although hip and back injections are generally not performed by rheumatologists.
The addition of rheumatology services represents another step in Stillwater Medical’s effort to expand access to specialty care within the community.
“Bringing rheumatology care to Stillwater means patients can have access to specialized evaluation and treatment without necessarily having to leave the area to find that care,” Khan said. “I’m excited to be part of expanding access to rheumatology services for patients throughout north-central Oklahoma.”
Stillwater Rheumatology will open on Sept. 1. Most patients will be referred to the clinic by their primary care provider or another specialist. Patients who believe they may benefit from rheumatology care are encouraged to speak with their healthcare provider about whether a referral is appropriate.
Additional information about the clinic, including scheduling and provider availability can be found at www.stillwatermedical.org.