Conditions We Don’t Treat

At Denver Arthritis Clinic, our focus is on the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Some conditions, while very real and impactful, are non-inflammatory and are best addressed through a multidisciplinary pain management approach rather than rheumatology alone.

These conditions include:

• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic Pain Syndrome
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Lyme Disease
• Degenerative Disc Disease of the spine
• Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)

Patients with these conditions often benefit most from coordinated care involving Pain Management specialists, physical therapy, and primary care providers working together to improve symptoms, function, and quality of life.

When evaluation or referral indicates that Pain Management is the most appropriate next step, we work closely with local partners to ensure timely access to care. In many cases, Pain Management specialists can see patients within approximately one week, whereas a rheumatology evaluation may require a longer wait. If our Pain Management partners determine that a rheumatology evaluation is necessary, they coordinate directly with our office to expedite your referral so you can be seen sooner.

We also understand that certain test results (such as a positive ANA) can be confusing, and many patients assume this automatically means a rheumatology referral is needed. For guidance on what a positive ANA test means and next steps, see our article: So You Got a Positive ANA Test—What Now?

Our goal is to help every patient reach the right care, at the right time, with the specialists best equipped to support their needs.