Rheumatology is a branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of rheumatic diseases—conditions that primarily affect the musculoskeletal system, including joints, muscles, and bones, as well as the autoimmune system. These diseases often involve inflammation, pain, stiffness, and damage to various tissues in the body. Rheumatology encompasses a wide range of conditions, from common types of arthritis to rare autoimmune disorders.