Rheumatology in New York City

Rheumatology is a branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and therapy of conditions that affect joints, bones, tendons, ligaments, and muscles, including those known as rheumatic diseases, or autoimmune conditions. Physicians who have had special training in rheumatology are called rheumatologists. Some of the conditions that rheumatologists diagnose and treat include:

Chronic back pain, Lupus, Inflammatory arthritis of the hips, knee, or shoulders, Rheumatoid arthritis, Tendinitis, Osteoporosis, Psoriatic arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Giant cell arteritis, Bursitis, Scleroderma, Behcet’s disease, Polymyalgia rheumatic, Paget’s disease, Polymyositis, Dermatomyositis, Ankylosing spondylitis, Gout, Reiter’s syndrome, Sjogren’s syndrome, Reactive arthropathies, Sarcoidosis, Idiopathic juvenile arthritis.

While rheumatologists diagnose and treat rheumatic diseases, they do not perform surgery. They perform examinations and procedures that help them diagnose, manage, and treat rheumatic conditions. These include:

• Complete physical exams.
• Lab tests, which usually involve taking samples of joint fluid, urine, or blood to check for anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) antibodies, synovial fluid, rheumatoid factor, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein.
• Imaging tests, such as X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, bone density scans (DXA), or ultrasounds.
• Lumbar punctures.
• Joint aspiration.
• Synovial biopsy.
• Joint injections.
• Bursal injections.
• Hyaluronic acid injections.

How Long Should I Stay in New York City?

Rheumatology procedures are usually performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you should be able to leave the hospital or clinic on the same day. Depending on your condition and the type of procedure you will have, you may also be allowed to travel home immediately after. However, it is generally recommended that you stay for 2 to 7 days as you may need to attend a follow-up appointment to discuss the test results with your rheumatologist (if you undergo a diagnostic test) or to monitor your condition.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

The recovery time depends on your specific condition. After the rheumatology procedure itself, you may not need any downtime, although you will need to take it easy for at least two days after some procedures, such as a lumbar puncture. If your condition causes painful symptoms, your rheumatologist will also recommend that you rest until the pain and discomfort subsides. Make sure to discuss your recovery timeline, including when you can return to work and perform strenuous activities.

What Aftercare is Required?

Your rheumatologist will likely prescribe you medications. It is important that you take the medications as directed. You may also be suggested to see undergo physical therapy or occupational therapy. Physical therapists will teach you exercises that can help you move your joints and improve their strength, while occupational therapists can teach you how to ease the strains on your joints when performing your day-to-day activities. Lifestyle changes are important as well, such as maintaining a healthy weight and staying active. Since most rheumatic diseases are long-term diseases, you probably will need regular checkups.

What's the Success Rate?

With cutting-edge technology, continuous research, and a better understanding of the joints, bones, tendons, ligaments, and muscles, rheumatology procedures are now more accurate and safer. The procedures are also highly successful, giving patients higher satisfaction rates and improvement in their quality of life. 

Are there Alternatives?

The alternatives depend on your specific condition. It is best that you talk to your general physician first, who will be able to refer you to the relevant specialist. If you require surgery, for instance, you need joint replacement surgery, your rheumatologist will refer you to an orthopedic surgeon.

Rheumatology in and around New York City

About New York

New York City, or simply New York (NY), is the most populous city in the United States with an estimated population of over 8 million. The city is labeled as the cultural, financial, and media capital of the world. It is an important center of international diplomacy since it houses the headquarters of the United Nations. The city has been attracting tourists from all around the globe for its architectural beauty, dining spots, and arts. Fueled by its global popularity and superior healthcare, the city also welcomes patients from many other countries to undergo cosmetic surgeries and complex or rare procedures that are not available in the patient’s home country. The medical professionals are highly qualified, skilled, and experienced. The medical costs might not be the cheapest, but patients will get the best treatment in the world.

Popular Areas in New York

New York offers its visitors a myriad of attractions to see and things to do. Tourists can find world-famous sites in almost every corner. The following are the most popular places in the city.

• Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom and democracy. It was a gift from the French people to the people of the United States as a monument of international friendship during the American Revolution. This famous statue was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, and the metal framework was built by Gustave Eiffel. Tourists can access the pedestal and the crown. Although the climb to the top is strenuous, the view from Lady Liberty’s crown is breathtaking, making it one of the most rewarding experiences of your trip to NYC. To get to the statue, you need to take a ferry from Battery Park City or New Jersey. There is only one official ferry company that is allowed to take you to the islands, Statue Cruises.
• Staten Island Ferry offers a stunning landscape of New York City and the Statue of Liberty. The ferry runs frequently and is free. Tourists can enjoy the refreshing breeze while admiring Governors Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, lower Manhattan and Wall Street’s skyscrapers, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
• Empire State Building is perhaps the most iconic symbol of New York City. This magnificent landmark should not be missed by any visitors. The building was opened during the Great Depression in 1931 and tourists can see its Art Deco style in the architecture. The view from its 86th and 102nd floors is spectacular, especially around sunset time. 
• Central Park is 843 acres of open space and is a good place to escape from the concrete jungle of New York City. The park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, and it was the first major landscaped public park in the United States. Tourists can wander around the park, enjoy a picnic, visit a memorial to John Lennon, or interact with animals in the Zoo.

Weather and Climate in New York

New York City has four seasons, each with its own perks, which makes the city a year-round destination.

• Spring starts in March and ends in April. The city enjoys a pleasant temperature during this season. It is one of the most beautiful times to visit since the city is filled with Cherry Blossoms and hosts a number of festivals. However, expect to experience seasonal storms.
• Summer is from June to August. The temperatures are mostly warm, with an average between 25 °C to 30 °C. The city is usually crowded and busy during this season, but tourists can enjoy several free summer concerts. 
• Autumn is a great time to visit New York City, which lasts from September to November. The summer heat will be replaced with a cooler temperature, and the city is overflowing with red and orange leaves. 
• Winter in the city can be freezing and sometimes snowy. The season starts in December and ends in February. The temperatures can drop as low as -25 °C. If you plan to visit during winter, make sure to dress properly.

Getting Around in New York

The primary international airport in New York City is the John F. Kennedy International Airport. More than ninety airlines operate from this airport, including several budget airlines such as JetBlue. Getting around the city is fairly easy and inexpensive, especially by public transportation. The city has 27 subway lines stopping at 472 stations and more than 5,000 buses. To ride the subway, you will need to purchase a MetroCard that cost $1. The fares are $2.75 per trip and you can buy a one week unlimited MetroCard for $33 or an unlimited monthly MetroCard for $127.

The bus will take you to many places including the east or west portions of Manhattan. The bus fares are $2.75 per trip and the buses only accept MetroCard or exact fare in coins. If you do not want the hassle to figure out the public transportation system, the iconic yellow taxis are widely available. You can flag them down directly from the streets. The taxis are green in Brooklyn and Uber and Lyft are also available. 

Tourists Visas in New York

Citizens of Canada, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, and Bermuda are given visa exemption access. Holders of passports issued by 38 countries including Australia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom are selected for the Visa Waiver Program. Nationals from countries that are not listed in the visa exemption and visa waiver program need to apply for a visa. All visitors may stay for a maximum of 90 days. It is advisable to learn more about the visa policy at your nearest United States Embassy.  

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: US dollar ($) is the official currency. Please check XE.com for the current exchange rate to your local currency.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs can be found everywhere, and credit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and shops. Tipping is not optional. For restaurant servers and bartenders, 15% - 20% of the bill is acceptable.
3. Local Language: The main language in New York City is English. However, there are over 800 languages spoken in the city, such as Spanish and Chinese.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Christianity is the major religion in New York City, followed by Judaism, Islam, Buddha, and Hindu. 
5. Public Holidays: New York City celebrates various holidays, including New Year, Martin Luther King Jr Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.