A Pediatric Rheumatologist: Children Are Not Just Small Adults
From Pediatric Rheumatologist Dr. Linda Myers:
Children are not just small adults. Their bodies are growing and they usually express their concerns differently than adults. They cannot always cooperate in answering medical questions and are not always patient during the medical exam.
Dr. Myers confers with a mom and her daughter about options for properly diagnosing arthritis in children.
If your child has complaints of pain in parts of the musculoskeletal system, such as joints, muscles, bones, or tendons, you may need to see a Pediatric Rheumatologist. Pediatric rheumatologists know how to examine a child who has bone, muscle, and joint complaints and understand how to gain the child’s confidence and cooperation to the best of the child’s developmental abilities.
Dr. Myers joined the team at Rheumatology and Dermatology, as a Board-certified Pediatric Rheumatologist (arthritis doctor), in November of 2019, joining Board-certified Dermatologist George Woodbury Jr. MD and (adult) Board-certified Rheumatologist Cathy Chapman MD.
Pediatric rheumatologists are medical doctors who have had a.) At least 4 years of medical school, b.) Three additional years of general pediatric residency training, c.) Three years of fellowship training exclusively with children and adolescents with illnesses that affect the joints, muscles, bones, and other connective tissues, d.) Board certification by the American Board of Pediatrics in both pediatrics and pediatric rheumatology
A pediatric rheumatologist evaluates and treats the following:
Arthritis
Autoimmune disorders, including lupus, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, Kawasaki disease, post-infectious arthritis, chronic vasculitis, and other inflammatory disorders
Evaluation of prolonged fever
Unexplained musculoskeletal pain, weakness, poor appetite, fatigue, and/or loss of function or skills
Baffling symptoms such as a rash, anemia, weight loss, or joint swelling
Possible inflammatory disease
Your pediatrician may refer your child to a pediatric rheumatologist, to ensure that your child will receive the best possible care.
We are happy at Rheumatology and Dermatology, 8143 Walnut Grove Road, Cordova TN to have one of the United States’ 350 Pediatric Rheumatologists now available to evaluate and treat your child (1-901-753-0168; www.Rheumderm.com). Dr. Myers’ accepts patients through many of the insurance networks. Early diagnosis and intervention can be key in improving your child’s ability to grow and enjoy life. So don’t delay. Get your child evaluated today!
From Linda Myers M.D., and Editor George Woodbury Jr. M.D. 11/02/2020
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