Rheumatology is the branch of internal medicine that deals primarily with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of joints and bones. Rheumatic diseases and degenerative rheumatic changes cause pain and swelling in the joints, which can lead to difficulty in movement and deformities.
The most common rheumatic diseases are osteoarthritis, extra-articular rheumatism, inflammatory rheumatic diseases, crystal-induced arthritis, and systemic connective tissue diseases. Treating rheumatic diseases, which can affect the whole body, can relieve joint pain, improve the mobility of affected joints, and prevent joint deformities.
The rheumatology clinic is led by Harry Strokol, MD, specialist in internal medicine.
During his long career, he was Head of the Department of Rheumatology at Celje General Hospital and later Head of the Division of Rheumatology. He also has experience in oncology and haematology, having examined oncology patients and been actively involved in haematology departments. He has a postgraduate diploma in oncology.