Dr. Rishabh Nanavati

MBBS, MD General Medicine Fellowship in Rheumatology (PD Hinduja Hospital) EULAR Certified

Visits 4+ Hospitals

Services Offered by
Dr. Rishabh Nanavati

– Rheumatologist from Mumbai

Dr. Rishabh Nanavati, a renowned rheumatologist based in Mumbai, is here to guide you toward relief from joint pain and autoimmune conditions. Whether you are battling arthritis or a complex autoimmune disease, Dr. Nanavati provides expert rheumatology care tailored to your needs.

Rheumatology Treatments Offered by Dr. Rishabh Nanavati

Dedicated Expertise in Managing Rheumatological Conditions in Mumbai

Dr. Nanavati specializes in managing arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other autoimmune conditions, providing effective solutions for long-term pain relief and improved mobility.

Arthritis is very common but not very well understood. Arthritis means inflammation (pain, swelling, and stiffness) of one or more joints. Arthritis is not a disease by itself but rather a symptom of some diseases. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis. Symptoms of arthritis can be mild, moderate, or severe. They may stay the same for years but can also progress rapidly, leading to permanent, irreversible joint damage.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is the most common inflammatory arthritis which primarily affects the small joints of the hands and feet but also other joints like knees, elbows, etc. Most patients experience pain, swelling, and stiffness or gelling lasting more than one hour. In severe cases, RA can affect certain organs like the eyes, lungs, etc.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It is a degenerative (mechanical) joint disease. Although OA can involve any joint, the disorder commonly involves the knees, hips, spine, hands, etc. Symptoms of arthritis typically worsen over time. Patients complain particularly after activity, stiffness after rest, reduced movement of the affected joint, and grating sensation on use of the joint.

Ankylosis means fusion, and spondylos meaning vertebrae. It is a type of inflammatory arthritis that affects the joints of the spine, primarily the lower back early in the disease, and with time leads to the fusion of the vertebrae, leading to severe impairment of spinal mobility. It is a disease of the young, and men are more affected than females. Family history can be a strong indicator in this type of arthritis. Patients complain of morning stiffness in the low back, awakening in the middle of the night with back pain, difficulty in turning in bed, alternating buttock pain, and pain which improves with activity or exercise and worsens with rest. Ankylosing Spondylitis not only affects the spine but also the joints of the arms and legs, the eyes, the intestines, etc. Although low back pain is very common, it should never be ignored.

Psoriatic Arthritis is an inflammatory joint disease associated with skin psoriasis. It can occur at any age but is commonly seen between the ages of 30-50 years, with men slightly more affected than females. Patients with psoriasis are at an increased risk of developing psoriatic arthritis. Most patients develop psoriasis first and later have joint involvement, which makes diagnosis easier. However, in 10-15% of cases, joint symptoms appear before psoriasis of the skin. Thus, every patient with skin psoriasis should be screened by a rheumatologist for signs and symptoms of underlying arthritis for early diagnosis to prevent joint damage and deformity.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome affecting multiple sites of the body, including the muscles, bones, and tendons (musculoskeletal pain), generalized fatigue, troubled and non-restorative sleep, anxiety, depression, difficulty in concentrating or staying alert, and headaches. This disorder frequently becomes evident after stressful events, whether emotional, physical, or medical. The manner in which the brain and spinal cord interpret pain is abnormal. The threshold of pain is lowered. Because of this, things that are normally not painful may be painful to someone with fibromyalgia. There is no accepted test for diagnosis. Any testing done is to exclude other conditions.

Gout is a common yet complex form of arthritis that can affect anyone. It's characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness, and tenderness in one or more joints, most often beginning with the big toe. An attack of gout can occur suddenly, often waking you up in the middle of the night with the sensation that your big toe is on fire. The affected joint is warm to the touch, swollen, and very tender, making it intolerable to bear the weight of a bedsheet. Gout occurs when either your body produces too much uric acid or your kidneys excrete too little uric acid. When this happens, uric acid can build up, forming sharp, needle-like uric acid crystals in a joint or surrounding tissue that cause pain, inflammation, and swelling. Risk factors include non-vegetarian food, alcohol, obesity, certain medications and medical conditions, family history of gout, age, and sex. During an acute attack of gout, medications should be given to reduce pain and swelling. Once resolved, medications can be started to reduce uric acid levels, as rapid reduction in uric acid can itself precipitate an attack of gout.

Viral infections are well-recognized causes of arthralgia and arthritis. The diagnosis of post-viral arthritis can be difficult to confirm but should be considered in all patients presenting a short period of joint symptoms. Unlike other rheumatological diseases, most cases of post-viral arthritis are self-limiting and do not necessitate any specific treatment apart from symptom relief.

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that occurs when your body’s immune system attacks your own tissues and organs. It can occur at any age (mostly between 15 to 45 years but can occur in children too). It affects women more than men (9:1). Lupus can affect any system or organ of the body. Patients with lupus can have a wide range of symptoms. The most common signs and symptoms include fatigue, fever, joint pain, swelling and stiffness, a butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose, or rashes elsewhere on the body, photosensitivity, frequent oral ulcers, and hair loss.

Scleroderma is a group of rare diseases that involve the hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissue due to excess collagen (protein) production in the body. Scleroderma affects women more than men and is commonly seen between the ages of 20 and 50 years. Common symptoms include thickening and hardening of the skin, discoloration of the digits due to narrowing of the blood vessels of the hands and feet, heartburn, difficulty in swallowing, cramps, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and breathlessness due to involvement of the lungs and heart.

Sjogren’s Syndrome is an immune system disorder characterized by its two most common symptoms: dry eyes and dry mouth. This condition often accompanies other immune system disorders such as Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus. In Sjogren’s Syndrome, the mucous membranes and moisture-secreting glands of the eyes and mouth are affected first, resulting in decreased production of tears and saliva. It can occur at any age, and women are more commonly affected. Sjogren’s Syndrome can affect other parts of the body, and symptoms vary depending on organ involvement.

MCTD has signs and symptoms of a combination of disorders, namely lupus, scleroderma, and polymyositis. For this reason, MCTD is sometimes called an overlap disease. Symptoms of the separate diseases do not occur all at once but tend to occur over a period of time. General feelings of being unwell, discoloration of hands and feet, swollen hands and puffy fingers, muscle weakness and pain, and rash are some of the common symptoms.

Polymyositis and Dermatomyositis are inflammatory diseases affecting the muscles. This results in weakness of the muscles, which is severe. The onset of weakness can be rapid or gradual. Loss of strength can be noticed as difficulty in getting up from a chair, climbing stairs, lifting above the shoulders, trouble with swallowing, and weakness in lifting the head from the pillow are some of the symptoms. Polymyositis can be associated with a characteristic rash and

Vasculitis refers to the inflammation of blood vessels, leading to reduced blood flow and potential organ and tissue damage. It can affect multiple organs and cause a range of symptoms.

Don’t Let Rheumatic Diseases
Hold You Back!

If you or a loved one is dealing with Osteoarthritis, Scleroderma, or Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, you don't have to suffer in silence. Dr. Nanavati can guide you on a path to better health and less pain.

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Understanding Your Rheumatological Condition

Do you have Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, or another autoimmune disease?

Don’t worry! Understanding your condition is the first step to successful treatment. Our simple guide helps you navigate your diagnosis, whether it’s Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, or another connective tissue disease.

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Patients Treated by
Dr. Rishabh Nanavati

Read testimonials from patients who have benefited from Dr. Nanavati’s expertise in
managing rheumatological disorders.

Sangeeta Gupta

I'm taking a moment to thank Dr. Rishabh, one of the best rheumatologists in town. I was at my wit's end after...read more

Deepak Roy

We started consulting with Dr. Rishabh Nanavati since Nov'23. It has been a great experience since then. My wife has...read more

Rutu Shah

I recently consulted Dr. Rishabh Nanavati, and I can confidently say that my experience was nothing short of exceptional....read more

Mayur Kacha

This is Mayur Kacha and I am 30 years old. After suffering from severe neck and lower back pain for over six years...read more

Ashish Chowdhary

Thank you for sparing your valuable time and sharing your experience with us. We are happy to have this rating...read more

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Patient Education

Stay informed with expert insights from one of
Mumbai’s leading rheumatologists.

Nanavati ensures his patients are educated about their condition and involved in their care decisions.

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Common Questions About
Rheumatology and Treatment

Find answers to frequently asked questions about rheumatic conditions and their treatment.
Dr. Nanavati believes that informed patients can make better decisions about their health.

1. What is rheumatology?
Rheumatology is a sub speciality of medicine which deals with the diseases of the joints, soft tissues ( muscles , tendon and ligaments) and autoimmune immune diseases Rheumatology was derived from the term Rheumatism which means body pain or joint pain.
2. Who is a Rheumatologist?
Rheumatologist is a physician doctor who has specialised training in the treatment of various types of arthritis and autoimmune immune diseases.
3. What is Arthritis?
The word arthritis means inflammation ( swelling, redness, pain) of one or more joints. Arthritis is not a disease by itself but it is symptom of some disease.
4. What are rheumatic diseases?
Rheumatic diseases are autoimmune and inflammatory diseases that cause the immune system to attack a persons joints , muscle, bones and organs.There are a over 100 different types of arthritis. Common rheumatic diseases include Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Fibromyalgia, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Connective Tissue Diseases like SLE , Sjogren Syndrome and Scleroderma etc..
5. What are symptoms of arthritis? (rheumatic diseases)
Some of the common symptoms include:
  • Swelling in one or more joints. For instance this might be your wrist , elbow or knee or small joints of hands or feet.      
  • Stiffness of the joints lasting for more than 30-45 minutes starting in the morning. 
  • Joint pain and tenderness.     
  • Inflammation: your joint can look red or feel warm to touch.                                                                                                       
6. When Should I See a Rheumatologist?
If you are experiencing symptoms of rheumatic disease as mentioned above a visit to a rheumatologist is needed. As the first weeks and months following the onset of symptoms are known as the “window of opportunity “ and its crucial that patients get diagnosed and get appropriate treatment i this time frame to avoid long term complications (joint damage and deformity)
7. Are there any other side effects of the rheumatic disease?
Rheumatic diseases, whether inflammatory or non-inflammatory, can reduce life expectancy and impact quality of life. Therefore, appropriate treatment is needed to minimize mortality. However, it is recommended that co-morbidities such as hypertension and high blood fats be reviewed regularly.
8. Should I be worried about the side effects of medications for my Arthritis?
The fear of medication is perfectly reasonable . Fears can also be based on lack of information or misinformation. People seem to be more scared of the medication than the disease which in actuality should be the other way round. Side effect of the disease is 100% if not treated leading to joint damage and deformity and significant organ involvement in more serious rheumatic diseases. Fear of potential side effects effects results in patients discontinuing or sporadically taking their tablets which allows time for the disease to flare or developing resistance to the tablets. Hence open lines of communication is Side effects of any medication is 2-3 % which can be managed with regular follow ups and assessing lab parameters.
9. I have joint pain - Do I visit a Rheumatologist or Orthopedic Surgeon?
Rheumatologist specialise in the medical aspects of arthritis and other musculoskeletal disorders, while orthopaedic surgeons specialise in injuries or surgical aspect . Ideally one should first visit a Rheumatologist and if required you will be referred to an orthopedic surgeon.
10. What is the treatment strategy for rheumatic diseases?

Prevention:

  • Early diagnosis and treatment for control of disease
    Containment or Salvage
  • Providing a holistic well rounded approach to treatment has been found to be the most effective strategy.
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Find Dr. Nanavati’s Clinics with Ease

Convenient locations across Mumbai ensure you can access top-tier rheumatology care,
no matter where you are. Reach out today to visit a clinic nearest to you.

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