Rheumatology is the medical science of treating diseases of the joints, muscles, bones and tendons.

Doctors who specialize in rheumatology (called rheumatologists) treat conditions like arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome and lupus. These conditions can cause inflammation, pain and swelling.

Rheumatologists care for patients with:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Gout
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Other related inflammatory conditions

They also manage soft tissue rheumatologic conditions such as:

• Bursitis
• Tendonitis
• Nerve entrapment conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome

Find out about rheumatic disease and conditions on the American College of Rheumatology web site.

Locations

Rheumatology is offered at these locations:

• HealthEast Maplewood Clinic
• HealthEast Midway Clinic
• HealthEast Woodbury Clinic

About our rheumatologists

Dr. Mayra Oberto-Medina

Dr. Oberto-Medina completed her internal medicine residency at Norwalk Hospital through Yale University and her fellowship in rheumatology at the University of Arizona. She is board certified in rheumatology and internal medicine, and a member of the American College of Rheumatology.

Dr. Oberto-Medina's practice interests include scleroderma, MRI and ultrasound usages in rheumatology, spondyloartropathies, pediatric rheumatology, rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, SLE (Lupus) and osteoporosis.

She says, "I focus on overall well-being by incorporating evidence-based medicine and exercise in my practice to achieve remission in most rheumatological conditions. By educating my patients, they become their best health advocates in their own medical care."

Dr. Ali Sajjad

Board certified in internal medicine and rheumatology, Dr. Sajjad is an experienced physician with more than 14 years of patient care experience in Wisconsin and Minnesota. In addition to clinical work, he teaches at the department of rheumatology at VA Medical Center Minneapolis.

Dr. Sajjad has special expertise in ultrasound guided injections. These innovative injection techniques are effective in relieving pain associated with carpal tunnel syndrome, smaller inflamed joints, wrist and ankle arthritis and inflammation at the base of the thumb, among others. The injections are performed onsite at the Maplewood clinic.

Dr. Sajjad also has a special interest in the diagnosis and management of shoulder and hip area pain.