Conditions treated at Axis Rheum
At Axis Rheum, we strive to provide timely, excellent and compassionate care to patients with various autoimmune rheumatic conditions and those with unexplained joint pains as well as other symptoms. These conditions often present with chronic symptoms that evolve over many years and blood tests may or may not be abnormal. Dr. Danve uses careful clinical evaluation, pattern recognition & lab and imaging interpretation to arrive at the accurate diagnosis and management plan. Below are common conditions we treat.
We manage a full spectrum of autoimmune and inflammatory rheumatic diseases, including but not limited to:
Inflammatory Arthritis:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
- Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)
- Ankylosing Spondylitis / Axial Spondyloarthritis
- Reactive Arthritis
- Enteropathic Arthritis (associated with IBD such as Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis)
Connective Tissue Diseases:
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
- Sjögren’s Syndrome
- Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma)
- Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD)
- Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease (UCTD)
- Inflammatory Myopathies (Polymyositis, Dermatomyositis, Inclusion Body Myositis)
Vasculitides:
- Giant Cell Arteritis (Temporal Arteritis)
- Takayasu Arteritis
- Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN)
- Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA)
- Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (Wegener’s)
- Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss)
- Behçet’s Disease
- Cryoglobulinemic Vasculitis
- IgA Vasculitis (Henoch-Schönlein Purpura)
- Cutaneous small vessel vasculitis
Musculoskeletal & Metabolic Bone Diseases:
- Osteoarthritis
- Crystal Arthropathies (Gout, Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease - CPPD, Basic Calcium Phosphate Deposition)
Other Rheumatologic Conditions:
- Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)
- Adult-onset Still’s Disease
- Sarcoidosis
- Relapsing Polychondritis
- Eosinophilic Fasciitis
- Autoinflammatory syndromes (e.g., Familial Mediterranean Fever)
Ankylosing spondylitis, also referred to as axial spondyloarthritis, is a form of inflammatory arthritis that primarily affects the spine and sacroiliac joints. Symptoms often begin at a younger age and may progress over time.
Common features include:
- Chronic back pain lasting more than three months
- Morning stiffness for more than 30 min
- Back/hip/buttock pain that improves with movement
- Heel pain, Achilles tendonitis, rib cage pain
- Skin psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or uveitis (iritis)
Early recognition is important, as symptoms may precede
x-ray changes by several years.
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory arthritis that affects individuals with skin psoriasis. It can affect joints, tendons and ligaments and also the spine. Skin psoriasis is usually present for several years before the start of joint pains.
Patients may experience:
Join pains, stiffness or swelling
Pain at the ends of tendons called enthesitis, examples- Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles Tendonitis, Tennis elbow
Swelling or entire toe or finger (sausage digit)
Fatigue
PsA can remain undiagnosed for long time due to lack of obvious blood tests or exam findings.
Gout is the most common inflammatory arthritis in the world and is caused by uric acid crystal deposition in joints and surrounding tissues. It often presents with sudden, severe pain and swelling of one joint but can develop into chronic deforming arthritis if untreated.
Features may include:
- Sudden onset of intense joint pain commonly great toe and feet
- Swelling, redness, and warmth
- Recurrent flares over time
- Involvement of the feet, ankles, knees, or other joints
- Periods of symptom resolution between attacks
Understanding flare patterns and long-term management is important in gout care.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that primarily affects joints but may also involve other organ systems like lungs, eyes and skin. Symptoms often develop gradually and can be debilitating.
Common symptoms include:
- Joint pain and swelling commonly involving hands and feet
- Prolonged morning stiffness and fatigue
- Limited range of movements at hands particularly in the morning
- Early diagnosis and prompt treatment can improve the outcomes
Dr. Danve accurately diagnoses and treats several complex multi-system rheumatic diseases including Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Sjogren’s syndrome, undifferentiated connective tissue disease, dermatomyositis, polymyositis, systemic vasculitis (ANCA vasculitis, Temporal arteritis etc), sarcoidosis and others.
Patients may report:
- Fever and chronic unexplained fatigue
- Skin rashes, Raynaud’s
- Dry eyes and mouth
- Cough and shortness of breath from lung involvement
- Acute and chronic kidney disease
- Muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing
- Systemic symptoms affecting multiple organs
Diagnosis needs careful assessment and pattern recognition.
Some patients experience persistent joint pain, stiffness, or fatigue without a clear diagnosis. Symptoms may be intermittent, subtle, or non-specific.
This category may include:
- Joint pain with morning stiffness but no swelling
- Normal or only mildly abnormal blood tests
- Normal x-rays and MRI of the joints
- Symptoms that come and go over time
Structured evaluation and follow-up help identify meaningful patterns and guide next steps
What does a Rheumatologist do
The main role of rheumatologist is to diagnose and treat inflammatory conditions. They spend much of their day to figure out if patient’s symptoms indicate an underlying inflammatory disease which may involve not only the joints but also other organs including skin, GI, heart, lungs and kidneys. Many of these conditions are due to abnormalities in the immune system and called autoimmune because body’s immune system is confused and targets our own tissues. Not every autoimmune disease is managed by rheumatologists.
Rheumatologists are trained to evaluate complex symptom patterns that may not be explained by blood tests or imaging only. Some of the rheumatic diseases have specific and helpful tests but many of them have to be diagnosed and managed using clinical judgement. Trust between the patient and doctor therefore is critical for long term success!
At Axis Rheum, Dr. Danve works closely with patient and family to understand their issues, arrive a diagnosis and use shared decision making to find the best course of action. Direct care allows for sufficient time for evaluation as well as answering all your doubts.
When to see a Rheumatologist for evaluation
- Joint Symptoms: Persistent joint pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
- Back and neck pain: associated with morning stiffness, improvement with activities, night time back pain, onset before age 45 years, heel pain or joint pains. (use this screening tool to decide https://www.backpain.today/survey )
- Abnormal Lab Results: Positive ANA, elevated ESR or CRP, positive Rheumatoid Factor (RF)
- Psoriasis or skin rashes: along with accompanying joint pains, fatigue or fever.
- Systemic Symptoms: Unexplained fever, fatigue, rash, hair loss, or weight loss, GI symptoms, kidney involvement, lung scarring.
- Family History: Some of the above symptoms and strong family history of autoimmune or rheumatic disease
Axis Rheum provides direct access to rheumatology care through a structured, patient-focused model.