Arthritis and Joint Diseases

The Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) Center for Arthritis and Joint Diseases evaluates and treats the entire spectrum of the more than 100 causes of arthritis, with a specialized focus in rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriatic arthritis, and spine disorders.

From its origins as the Robert Breck Brigham Hospital, the first teaching hospital in this country wholly devoted to the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and related diseases, the Center has become a focus for pioneering research, innovative therapeutics and world-class care for arthritis sufferers. As a result, BWH has been named as one of the top 10 Rheumatology providers in the country. The Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy’s has the largest research funding base and investigative team of any rheumatology and allergy program in the country. It has helped to make significant advances in the treatment of arthritis and other joint diseases, including the recent development of a highly effective medication for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Our team of over 40 board-certified rheumatologists and allergists is one of the largest and most diversified such teams in the country. Our physicians collaborate with BWH specialists in bone and joint radiology, occupational and physical therapy, podiatry, orthopedics, pain management, dermatology, physiatry, neurology and other services to provide comprehensive and effective arthritis care to more than 30,000 patients each year.

Our Arthritis Services

• Allergy and Immunology
• Gout/Pseudogout – inflammation of the joints caused by crystallization of salts in the blood
• Lupus 
• Osteoarthritis
• Osteoporosis – a disease that causes bones to become brittle and lose mass, resulting in fractures
• Pediatric Rheumatology for Adults
• Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Scleroderma – a slowly progressive disease that causes hardening of the skin and internal organs
• Soft Tissue Rheumatism – painful conditions affecting the soft tissue surrounding the joints (bursitis, tendonitis)
• Spondylitis – inflammation of the spine
• Vasculitis – inflammation of the blood vessels
  • Giant Cell Arteritis
  • Polymyalgia Rheumatica