Your first visit will be longer than a follow-up
We set aside extra time so your provider can review your history, examine you thoroughly, and discuss next steps without feeling rushed.
New patients
Everything you need to get started as a new patient
Begin by completing the secure pre-registration form. Once we receive your information, our team will review it and contact you about scheduling your first appointment.
How to prepare for your first visit
- Pre-register for new patient intake
- Review new patient policies before booking (PDF)
- Bring prior lab work, imaging, medication lists, and notes from other clinicians if you already have an appointment.
Useful links before and after scheduling
Your first appointment
What to expect at your first visit
Medical history review
Your provider will review your symptoms, prior diagnoses, medications, family history, and any testing you have already had. Bringing records from your referring doctor helps us get started faster.
Physical examination
Expect a focused exam of your joints, skin, and other areas relevant to your symptoms. This helps your provider assess inflammation, range of motion, and potential areas of concern.
A clear next step
You will leave your first visit with a plan — whether that means starting treatment, ordering lab work or imaging, or scheduling a follow-up to review results and refine your diagnosis.
Why you may have been referred to a rheumatologist
If your primary care doctor referred you to a rheumatologist, it is usually because your symptoms, lab results, or imaging suggest a condition that benefits from specialty evaluation. Rheumatologists focus on autoimmune and inflammatory disease — conditions where the immune system may be attacking your own tissues, causing pain, swelling, fatigue, or organ involvement.
Common reasons for referral include persistent joint pain or swelling lasting more than six weeks, a positive ANA or elevated inflammatory markers, unexplained fatigue combined with joint stiffness, or a suspected diagnosis that needs confirmation by a specialist.
How long does diagnosis take?
Some autoimmune conditions can be identified quickly when symptoms and lab results point clearly in one direction. Others take more time because symptoms can overlap, evolve, or develop gradually over weeks or months.
Your provider may need to monitor symptoms across several visits and wait for lab trends before confirming a diagnosis. This is a normal part of the process, and we will keep you informed at every step so you understand what we are looking for and why.
Conditions evaluated
Common conditions we evaluate and treat
Rheumatoid arthritis
Chronic joint inflammation that can damage cartilage and bone if untreated. Early diagnosis and treatment help protect long-term joint function.
Polymyalgia rheumatica
Muscle pain and stiffness, most common in adults over 50, typically affecting the shoulders, neck, and hips.
SLE / lupus
A systemic autoimmune condition that can affect joints, skin, kidneys, and other organs. Symptoms vary widely between patients.
Spondyloarthropathies
A group of conditions causing spine and joint inflammation, including ankylosing spondylitis and related disorders.
Psoriatic arthritis
Inflammatory joint disease often associated with psoriasis, affecting joints, tendons, and the spine.
Scleroderma
Autoimmune hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissue that can also affect internal organs.
Sjogren's syndrome
Immune-driven dryness of the eyes and mouth, often accompanied by joint pain, fatigue, and other systemic symptoms.
Tendonitis / bursitis
Inflammation of tendons or the fluid-filled sacs that cushion joints, causing localized pain and limited movement.
Osteoarthritis
Wear-and-tear joint degeneration causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility, most common in knees, hips, and hands.
Osteoporosis
Progressive bone loss that increases the risk of fractures, often diagnosed through bone density testing.
Fibromyalgia evaluation
Widespread pain and fatigue evaluated to identify patterns and rule out overlapping autoimmune conditions.
Back pain
Evaluated when inflammatory causes such as ankylosing spondylitis or sacroiliitis are suspected.
Gout
Sudden, painful joint attacks caused by uric acid crystal buildup, most commonly affecting the big toe.
Other autoimmune disorders
Including vasculitis, myositis, mixed connective tissue disease, and other immune-mediated conditions.
If you are still learning about symptoms or possible diagnoses, these trusted resources can help:
- NIH health topics (NIAMS) — Condition-by-condition patient information covering symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
- Understanding the ANA test (MedlinePlus / NIH) — What a positive antinuclear antibody test means and what comes next.
- Autoimmune diseases overview (NIH/NIAMS) — Types, symptoms, and causes of autoimmune conditions from the National Institutes of Health.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (NIH/NIAMS) — Symptoms, causes, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment information.
- Lupus (NIH/NIAMS) — Understanding lupus symptoms, flares, and treatment from the National Institutes of Health.