Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases are characterized by pain, swelling, and limited movement in joints and connective tissues in the body such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. Arthritis affects nearly 300,000 children in the United States.
Arthritis, which literally means inflammation of a joint (where two or more bones meet), actually refers to more than 100 different diseases that all fall into the category of rheumatic diseases.
UT Southwestern Medical Center operates the largest and longest established multi-specialty clinic for children with rheumatic diseases in the region. In our rheumatology clinics at Children’s Medical Center Dallas and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, dedicated health care professionals help patients and their families manage diseases including juvenile idiopathic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, juvenile dermatomyositis, and scleroderma. We also have an interest in the diagnosis and management of a variety of rare rheumatic diseases, including systemic vasculitis and autoinflammatory conditions.
Services provided by UT Southwestern pediatric rheumatology physicians include:
- Coordination of team care including ophthalmology, dental, and dietary counseling
- Education about specific rheumatic conditions
- Evaluation and treatment of children with suspected rheumatic diseases
- Physical and occupational therapy evaluations and recommendations
- Psychosocial support
This team approach, combined with the latest treatments and years of physician experience, gives UT Southwestern’s pediatric rheumatology patients the best in comprehensive care – through all stages of treatment.