Rheumatology
The Division of Rheumatology at Children's Mercy provides expertise in the evaluation and treatment of a wide range of rheumatic, autoimmune, and musculoskeletal diseases in children.
Our team understands the complex physical and emotional needs of a child with a chronic illness. Our team consists of board-certified pediatric rheumatologists, clinic nurses, a nurse manager, a collaborating pharmacist, a care assistant, an on-site social worker, and research coordinators. We maintain strong relationships with other subspecialties we share patients with includes the Pain Management Team.
For additional resources and special events designed for children with Arthritis please visit the Arthritis Foundation website.
Your first appointment
Please bring all lab and x-ray results as well as a list of your child's medications to your first appointment. Children should dress comfortably and bring a pair of shorts. Your Rheumatologist will evaluate you to determine if further testing or treatment is needed.
Clinical Services
This is a multi-specialty clinic for children who have been diagnosed with EDS. Your appointments will include time with each of the following specialties, as needed: Rheumatology, Genetics, Cardiology, Psychology, Physical Therapy and Social Work.
We work closely with the Section of Neurology to care for children with auto-immune neurologic diseases and children with Rheumatic diseases that affect the brain and spinal cord in our interdisciplinary Neuro-Rheum Clinic.
Children's Mercy offers the only pain management program in Missouri. Services promote and support optimal comfort, health, function and quality of life.
To assist families who travel from the southern parts of Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma, we have an outreach clinic in Joplin, Mo., once a month.
We work closely with the Section of Ophthalmology to care for children with chronic Uveitis in our interdisciplinary Uveitis Clinic.
Conditions
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition that causes swelling, stiffness, and pain of the joints.
Juvenile dermatomyositis is a rare systemic autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation in the small blood vessels of the entire body, especially those located in the muscles and skin.
Localized scleroderma is an autoimmune condition that results in thickening and tightening of the skin.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (also known as SLE or lupus) is a disease of the immune system.
Vasculitis is a term for a group of rare diseases that cause inflammation of the blood vessels (arteries and veins).
Amplified Pain/Fibromyalgia are managed primarily by the Pain Management Clinic. When children are diagnosis with pain syndromes, they are referred to the Pain Management Clinic for ongoing or additional treatment.
Raynaud’s phenomenon (also known as Raynaud’s Disease) describes the condition where exposure to cold or stress may decrease the blood flow to the skin.
Inflammation of the inside of the eyes is called uveitis.
- Autoimmune brain disease
- Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO)
- Recurrent fever syndromes
Current Studies
Contact the Rheumatology Clinic
Children's Mercy Joplin
(866) 608-1666
Children's Mercy Wichita
(316) 500-8900
- Rheumatology
- Pediatric Joint Hypermobility (pJH) and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Program (EDS)
- Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
- Juvenile Myositis
- Juvenile Scleroderma
- Juvenile Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Juvenile Vasculitis
- Musculoskeletal Pain Syndromes
- Neurology Rheumatology Clinic
- Pain Management Program
- Raynaud's Phenomenon
- Telemedicine Clinics
- Uveitis Clinic
- Rheumatology Team