Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system produces antibodies to cells within the body leading to widespread inflammation and tissue damage. Any part of the body can be affected by lupus as it has an array of clinical manifestations affecting the skin, joints, brain, lungs, kidneys, blood vessels and other internal organs. Systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE is the most common form of lupus. In lupus, something goes wrong with your immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs ("foreign invaders," like the flu). Normally our immune system produces proteins called antibodies that protect the body from these invaders. Autoimmune means your immune system cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders and your body’s healthy tissues ("auto" means "self") and creates autoantibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue. These autoantibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body. Lupus is also a disease of flares (the symptoms worsen and you feel ill) and remissions (the symptoms improve and you feel better). 

Arthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints. There are over 100 different forms of arthritis. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease), a result of trauma to the joint, infection of the joint, or age. Other arthritis forms are rheumatoid arthritis, Septic arthritis, Juvenile Idiopathic arthritis. Osteoarthritis damages cartilage, the cushiony material on the end of bones. As it wears down, joints hurt and it becomes harder to move. It usually affects the knees, hips, lower back, neck, fingers, and feet. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage in the knee joint gradually wears away. As the cartilage wears away, it becomes frayed and rough, and the protective space between the bones decreases. This can result in bone rubbing on bone, and produce painful bone spurs.  While it can occur even in young people, the chance of developing osteoarthritis rises after age 45. According to the Arthritis Foundation, more than 27 million people in the U.S. have osteoarthritis, with the knee being one of the most commonly affected areas. Women are more likely to have osteoarthritis than men. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis, the most common arthritis in childhood, causes pain, swelling, and loss of joint function and may be accompanied by fevers and rashes. The primary goals of treating osteoarthritis of the knee are to relieve the pain and return mobility. The treatment plan will typically include a combination of weight loss, exercise, pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs, injection of corticosteroid into the knee, using devices such as braces and surgery. 

Osteoarthritis (OA) is caused by aging joints, injury, and obesity. OA symptoms include joint pain and stiffness. Treatment depends on the affected joint, including the hand, wrist, neck, back, knee, and hip, and involves medication and exercise. If you are overweight, weight loss may improve OA symptoms. Osteoarthritis  is not a single disease but rather the end result of a variety of disorders leading to the structural or functional failure of one or more of your joints. Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of chronic joint pain, affecting over 25 million Americans. Osteoarthritis involves the entire joint, including the nearby muscles, underlying bone, ligaments, joint lining (synovium), and the joint cover (capsule).

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that primarily affects joints. It happens when the immune system attacks your own tissues and causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. It’s not part of normal aging.  It may result in deformed and painful joints, which can lead to loss of function. The disease may also have signs and symptoms in organs other than joints. The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not completely understood. The process involves inflammation and fibrosis of the capsule around the joints. It also affects the underlying bone and cartilage. Treatments include both medication and non-pharmacological measures - the goal being to control joint inflammation and prevent joint damage and disability. The causes of Rheumatoid arthritis are not completely understood. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritisis the most common type of arthritis in children under the age of 17. It causes persistent joint pain, swelling and stiffness. Some children may experience symptoms for only a few months, while others have symptoms for the rest of their lives.Some types of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis can cause serious complications, such as growth problems and eye inflammation. A TNF inhibitor is a pharmaceutical drug that suppresses response to Tumour (TNF), which is part of the inflammatory response. It is used in the treatment of rheumatic arthritis. Gene expression has recently been at the forefront of advance in personalized medicine, notably in the field of cancer and transplantation, providing a rational for a similar approach in rheumatoid arthritis. While Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drug (DMARD) Therapy also have high impact for Active Rheumatoid Arthritis 

Under this track we shall also discuss the risk factors of Rheumatic Arthritis, application of IL-1 drugs, other treatment measures and care to be take in case of Rheumatic Arthritis. 

Soft tissue rheumatism is one of the most common and most misunderstood categories of disorders facing the primary care physician. Mixed connective tissue disease has signs and symptoms of a combination of disorders- primarily lupus, scleroderma and polymyositis. For this reason, mixed connective tissue disease is sometimes referred to as an overlap disease. Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis is a condition in which the outer part of the elbow becomes sore and tender. Tennis elbow is an acute or chronic inflammation of the tendons that join the forearm muscles on the outside of the elbow (lateral epicondyle). The forearm muscles and tendons become damaged from overuse. Myositis is the inflammation and degeneration of muscle tissue. 50% of tennis players are affected by tennis elbow during their careers. Finding proper treatments and cares measures is a high need. 

Serum sickness, Beurger’s Disease, Scurvy, Myofascial Pain are some other disease which will be discussed with their treatments under this track.

Recent advances in the development of novel immunodulatory therapies for various auto immune conditions have revolutionized both clinical practice and research in rheumatology. Biomarkers are chemicals or components of the immune system that can be used to mark or define the level of inflammation or disease, or the responsiveness of a patient to a specific medication. Biomarkers are very important for people with arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis. They can define the level of the activity of the disease. The first-line imaging technique for diagnosis inflammation in musculo-skeletal organs in Rheumatoid arthritis is planar X-ray examination, which were for many years the first and the only single tool for Rheumatoid arthritis diagnostics and response evaluation. Today, in the era of more aggressive Rheumatoid arthritis treatment, ultrasound examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are also frequently used.

Other therapeutic approaches for rheumatic diseases, clinical trials to advance the development of therapies, failed studies experiences and ways to correct them will also be discussed under this track for a better understanding. 

There are many forms of pediatric arthritis and other rheumatic diseases that require clinical care by a physician or other healthcare professional. Pediatric rheumatic diseases, also called juvenile arthritis, is an umbrella term used to describe the many autoimmune and inflammatory conditions that can develop in children ages 16 and younger.Although they share many common telltale symptoms, like pain, joint swelling, redness and warmth, they are distinct and each have their own special concerns and symptoms. Some pediatric rheumatic diseases affect the musculoskeletal system, but joint symptoms may be a minor or nonexistent component. Pediatric rheumatic diseases can involve the eyes, skin, muscles and gastrointestinal tract as well.

The physiotherapist’s (PT) role in the management of patients with Rheumatic disease is to work in partnership with the patient to enable them to achieve and maintain optimal function and independence. For many patients this will involve taking an active role in family, work and social lives. The physical therapist can help patients manage arthritis pain, promote mobility and day-to-day function, and stay active and independent in home, work, community and leisure settings. Arthroplasty or total joint reconstruction is an orthopedic surgical procedure where the articular surface of a musculoskeletal joint is replaced, remodelled, or realigned by osteotomy or some other procedure. It is an elective procedure that is done to relieve pain and restore function to the joint after damage by arthritis or some other type of trauma. A variety of drugs - ranging from over-the-counter pain relievers to prescription steroids - are helpful in managing the pain and swelling associated with some rheumatic diseases. Treatments vary from person to person and change as the disease progresses. In the last decade, there have been significant advances in treating rheumatoid arthritis, especially for patients whose arthritis does not respond to traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). The most important advance has been the development of a group of drugs called biologic response modifiers or biologics. There are a number of biologics approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Biologics are genetically-engineered proteins derived from human genes. They are designed to inhibit specific components of the immune system that play pivotal roles in fueling inflammation, which is a central feature of rheumatoid arthritis.

Joint and knee replacement treatment, immune therapy and chemo therapy for arthritis along with the physiotherapeutic treatments, instruments and advances will also be discussed under this track. 

Musculoskeletal ultrasonography has become an important diagnostic tool in rheumatoid arthritis. In Germany it is part of the rheumatology training, and many ultrasound courses provide further education. Only in the last five years the international importance of ultrasound in rheumatology has increased dramatically. Sonography can be performed as a bedside procedure and as an extension of the clinical investigation.  It is easily tolerated by the patients, and it can be repeated any time. Schober's test is a test used in rheumatology to measure the ability of a patient to flex his/her lowers back. The purpose of the Schober test is to reflect the lumbar ROM during flexion. An Arthrogram is a diagnostic test which examines the inside of a joint to assess an injury or a symptom you may be experiencing. The test is done by first injecting contrast which outlines the soft tissue structures in the joint (e.g. ligaments and cartilage) and makes them clearer to see on the images or pictures that will be taken of the joint. This is usually done using fluoroscopy. 

Various other tools and techniques available such as cytopathology and chemical pathology, MR Arthrography, low bone marrow density and its relation with the disease, sonography and disease activity measurements in rheumatoid arthritis will be discussed under this track. 

Orthopedic trauma care covers the spectrum of simple isolated fractures to severe life threatening accidents with multiple broken bones. Osteochondrom as the most common benign tumor of the bones. The tumors take the form of cartilage-capped bony projections or outgrowth on the surface of bones (exostoses). It is characterized as a type of overgrowth that can occur in any bone where cartilage forms bone. Tumors most commonly affect long bones in the leg, pelvis, or scapula. Osteonecrosis is a process where the blood flow to the bone cells greatly decreases; the cells may die, causing the bone to collapse, because the bone and bone marrow of the human body are made of living cells that need a steady blood supply to stay healthy. Osteonecrosis can lead to pain, arthritis and limited use of affected joints. Some people may even need joint replacement surgery.Muscular dystrophy is a group of muscle diseases that weaken the musculoskeletal system and hamper locomotion. Muscular dystrophies are characterized by progressive skeletal muscle weakness, defects in muscle proteins, and the death of muscle cells and tissue. Atrophy and weakness of the limb muscles are extremely common in rheumatoid arthritis, the most likely causes being inhibition and disuse as a result of painful movement.

Other bone disorder, Spine Orthopedics, spinal disorders and therapies, bone tissue engineering and Scaffold support will also be discussed under this track. 

Orthopedic surgery is the branch of surgeryconcerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopaedic surgeons use both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital disorders. An orthopedic surgeon is a surgeon who has been educated and trained in the diagnosis and preoperative, operative, and postoperative treatment of diseases and injuries of the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons work closely with other health care providers and often serve as consultants to other physicians. Orthopedic surgeons often are involved in education or research. They may practice in an orthopedic or multi-specialty group, or in a solo practice. Orthopedic services, is the medical specialty that involves the treatment of the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic Rehab Specialists provide orthopedic and sports physical therapy to individuals. 

In this track we shall also discuss joint replacement surgery, spine surgery, children’s orthopaedics, intensive care and other future aspects. 

An orthopaedic mattress is a mattress designed to support the joints, back and overall body. As its name suggests, an orthopedic mattress has been influenced by the medical study of Orthopedics which focuses on disorders or deformities of the spine and joints. Orthopaedic mattresses have, therefore, been created to combat the problems one might experience with a bad back or joints by providing a firm mattress which offers targeted, tailored support.Orthopedic shoes are specially designed shoes that provide support and pain relief for people suffering with some type of pain in the legs, ankles, or feet. The main function of orthopedic shoes is to provide more support for the feet and ankles than is accomplished by basic footwear. 

Various other products such as orthopedic pillow, orthopedic ankle products, advanced therapies, cure, pain reducers, and advanced injection techniques in rheumatology will also be highlighted under this track.