Rheumatology consultation and diagnosis

1/6 What is it?

A rheumatology consultation is a medical examination aimed at finding the cause of a persistent complaint in your joints, muscles or spine.

A rheumatologist separates inflammatory (autoimmune) disease from joint wear and from soft-tissue problems. That distinction matters, because the treatment for each is entirely different.

The consultation is not a surgical procedure. It consists of a conversation, a hands-on examination, and reading the documents you bring.

2/6 Who is it for?

Adults with joint pain, swelling or morning stiffness lasting more than a few weeks.

People whose blood tests show altered rheumatology markers (RF, anti-CCP, ANA, CRP, ESR) and who do not know what to do next.

Patients who already have a diagnosis and want the result of their treatment reviewed.

Anyone referred to a rheumatologist by another doctor.

3/6 When to seek care

If any of the following applies to you, do not put the examination off:

• Your joints stay stiff for more than half an hour each morning
• The same fingers or toes are swollen on both sides at once
• A joint is warm, red and painful to touch
• Pain wakes you at night
• Alongside the joint complaint there is lasting fatigue, fever or weight loss
• There is also a skin rash, recurring mouth ulcers or dry eyes

Sudden, very severe pain in a single joint with redness and fever should not wait — it can be a sign of inflammation or infection.

4/6 Why it matters

In inflammatory rheumatic disease, lost time can lead to changes in the joint that do not reverse. An early diagnosis widens the treatment options.

At the same time, not every joint pain is rheumatic disease. The second purpose of the examination is to prevent unnecessary medication and unnecessary worry.

In many cases the source of the complaint is not the joint itself but a tendon or bursa beside it. Telling them apart simplifies the treatment.

5/6 How it is done

1. Preparation. Bring every test result, X-ray, ultrasound and MRI you have, plus a list of the medicines you currently take. There is no need to fast.
2. The conversation. You are asked when the complaint began, what time of day it worsens, and whether anything similar runs in the family.
3. Physical examination. The joints are checked one by one for swelling, warmth and range of movement. Where relevant the skin, nails and spine are examined too.
4. Reading the documents. The tests and images you brought are assessed alongside the complaint.
5. The outcome. If the diagnosis is clear, the treatment plan is explained. If it is not, you are told which further tests are needed and why.

A consultation usually takes 20–40 minutes. The length depends on how complex the complaint is and varies from patient to patient.

6/6 Where it is done

Appointments are held in Baku, at StarLab Clinic.

Address: 20 Yanvar str. 88, 5th microdistrict, Baku, opposite the Qızıltac wedding hall.

Clinic switchboard: +994 12 431 13 14. Direct line to the doctor, WhatsApp or call: +994 55 550 55 69.

Your previous test results, your X-ray, ultrasound and MRI images (on disc or printed), and the names of all the medicines you are taking. Photographs of the medicine boxes are enough.

No, it is not necessary. Which tests are needed usually becomes clear after the examination. Bringing what you already have is enough.

Most rheumatology laboratory tests do not require fasting. You may be asked to fast only if blood sugar or lipids are being checked at the same time.

This clinic is for adults. Joint complaints in children should be assessed by a paediatric rheumatologist.