Although both specialties focus on a patient's joints, muscles, and bones, a rheumatologist primarily emphasizes on the pharmacological management of joint disorders, while an orthopedician concentrates on the surgical management of the same. It often becomes challenging for a primary care physician (PCP) to provide the correct referral to their patients when they present with varying grades of joint pain. This article focusses on highlighting the differences in responsibilities between an orthopedician and a rheumatologist by describing the criteria that allow a PCP to decide whether to refer a patient to an orthopedician or a rheumatologist.
When a patient presents to a PCP with complaints of excruciating pain in the joint, the physician first attempts to diagnose and treat the cause of the pain. If the patient does not respond to the treatment, the physician can refer the patient for…
