- Musculoskeletal conditions affect about 1.71 billion people worldwide (WHO, 2022).
- In the Republic of Moldova, more than 152,000 people were registered with musculoskeletal diseases in 2024 (NBS).
- Joint pain that lasts more than 6 weeks always deserves a medical assessment.
Why timing matters
Many rheumatic diseases have a window of opportunity: a period of a few months from onset when treatment can prevent permanent damage. If this window is missed, the joints may undergo changes that can no longer be repaired.
The good news is that most joint pain is mechanical and goes away on its own. The challenge is recognising the pain that does not. The signs below are the ones rheumatologists consider good reasons for a consultation.
Signs 1–5: what the joint tells you
The first five signs concern how the joint itself behaves. Observe them for a few days and write them down, because your doctor will ask about exactly these.
- 1. Morning stiffness lasting over 30 minutes: stiff joints that loosen slowly in the morning suggest inflammation, not wear
- 2. Visible swelling of one or more joints, with or without local warmth
- 3. Symmetrical pain: the same joints affected on both sides of the body
- 4. A red, hot and extremely painful joint appearing suddenly, often at night: this may be a gout attack or an infection
- 5. Pain persisting for more than 6 weeks despite rest and ordinary painkillers
Signs 6–10: what the rest of your body tells you
Rheumatic diseases are often diseases of the whole body. Symptoms that seem unrelated to the joints may in fact be pieces of the same puzzle.
- 6. Back pain that wakes you in the second half of the night and eases with movement, especially if you are under 45
- 7. Deep fatigue that does not improve with rest, accompanied by joint or muscle pain
- 8. Fever, weight loss or night sweats without an obvious cause
- 9. Psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease or uveitis (painful red eye) in you or your family, plus joint pain
- 10. Rashes on the face or body in the sun, marked dryness of the eyes and mouth, fingers that turn white in the cold
What you can do before the consultation
You do not need a referral to come to Laromed Clinic, but you can help the diagnosis by arriving prepared. Take a few photos of your joints when they are swollen, because they may look different at the appointment. Note when the pain started, what makes it worse and what relieves it.
Gather your tests and X-rays from recent years, even if they seem unrelated. Write a list of the medicines and supplements you take. Avoid starting corticosteroid treatment on your own before the consultation, as it can mask the signs of the disease.
When the situation is urgent
A few situations should not wait for a routine appointment. A suddenly swollen, red and hot joint accompanied by fever may be septic arthritis, which needs same-day treatment. Likewise, back pain with weakness in the legs or urinary problems is a neurological emergency.
Otherwise, for most of the signs described above, an appointment within the next one to two weeks is a suitable pace. What matters is not to put it off for months.
When to see a doctor
- You have at least two of the 10 signs described in this guide
- Joint pain stops you from sleeping or doing your daily activities
- Routine tests show raised ESR or CRP with no explanation
- You were previously diagnosed with a rheumatic disease and symptoms are returning
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral from my family doctor?
At Laromed Clinic you can book directly, without a referral. If you do have a referral and recent tests, bring them along, because they shorten the path to diagnosis.
Is knee pain at 60 a reason to see a rheumatologist?
Yes, especially if the knee swells, locks or the pain limits you. Even in osteoarthritis, the most common cause at this age, a rheumatologist can recommend treatments that improve your mobility.
What is the difference between a rheumatologist and an orthopaedic surgeon?
The orthopaedic surgeon deals mainly with injuries and problems that need surgery. The rheumatologist diagnoses and treats inflammatory, autoimmune and degenerative diseases of the joints, bones and muscles with medication.
Sources
- WHO – Musculoskeletal health (fact sheet, 2022)
- National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova – Statistical Yearbook 2025, ch. 8 Health care, table 8.15
- EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis: 2022 update
The data presented come from public sources and published scientific studies; they describe populations, not individuals. A diagnosis is made only after a medical consultation. Laromed Clinic updates this page periodically as new data become available.
