American College of Rheumatology

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) is an ethically-driven, professional membership organization committed to improving the care of patients with rheumatic disease and advancing the rheumatology sub-specialty. Founded in 1934, they are a not-for-profit, global medical society that serves over 8,400 physicians, health professionals, and scientists worldwide.

Types of rheumatic diseases

Osteoarthritis, the most prevalent type of arthritis, which primarily affects and destroys cartilage, the soft tissue that cushions the ends of bones within joints

Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium, a soft tissue that lines the joints, leading to inflammation

Fibromyalgia, a chronic condition marked by tender points and localized pain throughout the musculoskeletal system

Systemic lupus erythematosus, or simply lupus, an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation in numerous parts of the body, including the joints, skin, kidneys, blood, lungs, heart, and brain

Gout, a type of arthritis that develops when needle-like crystals of uric acid deposit in the joints, most often those of the big toe

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis, the most common form of arthritis in children, which may be accompanied by fevers and rashes

Infectious arthritis, or arthritis that's caused by an infection, such as Lyme disease or Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacteria behind gonorrhea

Psoriatic arthritis, a type of arthritis (and also considered a spondlyoarthropathy) that affects the fingers and toes and is associated with the skin disease psoriasis

Polymyositis, which affects the muscles and can affect the entire body

Bursitis, an inflammation of the bursas small fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction between bones

Ankylosing spondylitis, the most common spondyloarthropathy, which may affect the hips, shoulders, and knees, in addition to the spine

Reactive arthritis, or Reiter's syndrome, a spondlyoarthropathy that develops after an infection of the urinary tract, bowels, or other organs

Scleroderma, or systemic sclerosis, an autoimmune rheumatic disease that leads to a thickening and tightening of the skin and inflammation and scarring in various other parts of the body, including the blood vessels, joints, and certain organs

Polymyalgia rheumatica, which causes pain and stiffness in tendons, muscles, ligaments, and tissues around joints

Learn more

American College of Rheumatologys Website

cartilage firm, whitish, flexible connective tissue found in various forms in the larynx and respiratory tract, in structures such as the external ear, and in the articulating surfaces of joints

tendon a fibrous cord of tissue that connects muscle to bone.

ligament the tissue that connects two or more bones at a joint