The Difference a “Good” Rheumatologist Can Make
The world of rheumatology—a subspecialty that treats diseases of the joints and connective tissues—has radically changed from that of 20 or 30 years ago. Consider rheumatoid arthritis alone. The whole profile of the disease is completely different.
“Research is an important part of rheumatology,” explains HMG rheumatologist Song Zang, MD, who says that an enjoyment of research is one of the factors that influenced his decision to pursue a medical career in rheumatology. “Within the last ten years, with the development of different biologics, the entire prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis has changed.”
Today, rheumatoid arthritis afflicts approximately one percent of the population in the United States.
According to Dr. Zang, aggressive treatment at the beginning of the disease, rather than waiting, is yielding the best outcomes.
“A good rheumatologist can do so much to impact a patient’s life,” begins Dr. Zang. “For those who have their disease managed aggressively, there is really a lot of opportunity.”
Dr. Zang says promising outcomes are being achieved with lupus, another disease state treated within the subspecialty of rheumatology. Following medical school, Dr. Zang did extensive research regarding lupus at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
Another of Dr. Zang’s areas of interest is that of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), formerly referred to as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or juvenile chronic arthritis (JRA or JCA).
“The name has changed constantly within the last ten years because the concept of the condition has been evolving continuously,” explains Dr. Zang who has received significant shoulder-to-shoulder training during his time at the University of Alabama, working alongside respected pediatric rheumatologists.
“Receiving the appropriate rheumatology referral and beginning aggressive treatment at an early stage is very important,” says Dr. Zang who emphasizes that many of the concepts used in treating adult rheumatology are not appropriate in managing children.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Zang, please call HMG Rheumatology at (423) 857-2790.
Song Zang, MD
Rheumatology, HMG Medical Plaza
Rheumatologist Song Zang, MD, comes to HMG following fellowship training at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
After receiving his medical of doctorate degree from the Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China, Dr. Zang completed an internal medicine residency at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. Following, he completed a fellowship in rheumatology at the University of Alabama, Birmingham.
Dr. Zang is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
The author of numerous peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Zang recently received the honor of first place finalist in the recent “National Young Rheumatology Investigator Forum.” He is a member of the American College or Rheumatology.