Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology
At the Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Division of the Department of Medicine at SUNY: Upstate Medical University, we see patients with joint diseases that occur with systemic inflammation.
Find a rheumatology provider now.
Our rheumatology providers diagnose and treat systemic autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases, including:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Antiphospholipid syndrome
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Scleroderma
- Polymyalgia rheumatica
- Vasculitis (various forms)
Autoimmune conditions often occur with immune deficiency syndromes, which we also diagnose and treat.
The Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Division has been designated as a Center of Excellence by the Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies and it is home for the Phillips Lupus and Autoimmunity Center of Excellence (LACE).
To learn more about research and academics in Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, click here.
What Is Rheumatology?
Rheumatology is a branch of medicine that deals with diseases and conditions that affect the joints, muscles, and bones. These conditions can be quite debilitating and cause a lot of pain and inflammation. If you are experiencing symptoms like joint pain, swelling, pain of muscles and bones, stiffness, or redness, you should see a rheumatologist.
The field of rheumatology is divided into five main branches: musculoskeletal, connective tissue, autoimmune, crystal-associated, and pediatric. Each branch specializes in a certain type of disease. For example, the musculoskeletal branch focuses on diseases that affect the muscles and bones, while the connective tissue branch specializes in diseases that affect the connective tissues.
Some of the most common diseases that fall under the umbrella of rheumatology include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and scleroderma. Osteoarthritis is a condition that causes pain and inflammation in the joints, while rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the joints. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the body, and scleroderma is a rare autoimmune disease that affects the skin and other organs.
Conditions Our Rheumatologists Treat
Rheumatologists at the Department of Medicine at SUNY: Upstate Medical University care for patients with a variety of disorders, including:
- Arthritis
- Gout
- Joint and connective tissue disorders
- Tendonitis
If you are experiencing any symptoms that could be indicative of a rheumatic disease, it is important to see a rheumatologist.
Associated Conditions
Inflammation of the joints, muscles, and other soft tissues can be caused by wear and tear, infection, or disorders of the immune system, called autoimmune diseases. These latter conditions include:
- Ankling spondylitis
- Behcet’s syndrome
- Dermatomyoisitis
- Gout
- Infectious arthritis
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) -related arthritis
- Lupus
- Lyme disease
- Polymyalgia rheumatica
- Polymyositis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Reactive arthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Scleroderma
- Sjogren’s syndrome
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Urticaria
- Vasculitis (many forms)
Our Rheumatology Services
We provide state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic joint injections and infusion services. Recent advancements in understanding the causes of arthritis has led to the introduction of new medications that have revolutionized the treatment of many debilitating joint diseases.
Our faculty is actively involved in teaching and research in the subspecialty of rheumatology and immunology.
The rheumatology division of the Department of Medicine at SUNY: Upstate Medical University is internationally known for basic and clinical research of lupus and systemic autoimmune diseases. Our Lupus and Autoimmune Center of Excellence (LACE) was established in 2017 to focus on the metabolic control of autoimmunity, inflammation, and immune system health.
What Else You Need to Know
Our rheumatology specialists provide both outpatient and inpatient care at the following locations.
Outpatient Care:
- Upstate Health Care Center (UHCC)
- Upstate Rheumatology
- Upstate Rheumatology and Hill Infusion Center
- Pediatric Rheumatology Center
- Syracuse VA Medical Center
Inpatient Consultation:
Division of Rheumatology
Department of Medicine at SUNY: Upstate Medical University
Phone: (315) 464-4194
Fax: (315) 464-4176
Address:
Weiskotten Hall, Room 8310
766 Irving Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13210
To schedule an appointment, please call your rheumatology provider directly. You can also contact the Department of Medicine at SUNY: Upstate Medical University at DeptMedicine@upstate.edu to find out more.
