Dr. Abhi Chandra Maddineni
Consultant Rheumatologist · Arthritis & Autoimmune Disease Specialist
MBBS, DNB (General Medicine), DM (Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology)
Sri Disha Hospitals, Wyra Road, Khammam
93983 21476
When should you see a rheumatologist?
Early diagnosis protects the joints. Book a consultation if you notice any of these.
Joint pain or swelling
Pain or swelling for more than six weeks, or morning stiffness lasting over 30 minutes.
Back pain with stiffness
Long-standing back pain that eases with movement and worsens with rest, often starting before 45.
Rashes, ulcers or fever
Recurring rashes, mouth ulcers or unexplained fever, especially with joint pain.
Muscle weakness
New difficulty climbing stairs, rising from a chair or lifting your arms.
Conditions treated
Rheumatology covers more than 100 conditions of the joints, muscles, bones and immune system. These are the most common.
Inflammatory arthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Swollen, painful joints in the hands, wrists and feet, with morning stiffness.
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Low back pain and stiffness, worse in the morning, better with exercise.
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Joint swelling in people with psoriasis; may cause swollen fingers or toes.
- Gout
- Sudden, very painful swelling of a joint, often the big toe.
Autoimmune and connective tissue diseases
- Lupus (SLE)
- Joint pain, rashes, mouth ulcers, hair loss and fatigue; can affect kidneys and blood.
- Sjögren's syndrome
- Persistent dry eyes and dry mouth, often with tiredness.
- Scleroderma
- Thickening skin; fingers turning white or blue in the cold.
- Myositis and vasculitis
- Muscle weakness, or inflammation of blood vessels causing rashes, nerve or kidney problems.
Joint and bone conditions
- Osteoarthritis
- Wear-related knee, hip or hand pain that is worse after use.
- Osteoporosis
- Weak bones with no symptoms until a fracture; common after menopause.
- Soft-tissue rheumatism
- Frozen shoulder, tendinitis and bursitis.
Other conditions
- Fibromyalgia
- Widespread body pain, tiredness and poor sleep.
- Polymyalgia rheumatica
- Shoulder and hip stiffness in people over 50.
- Unexplained fever or high ESR/CRP
- Persistent fever or raised inflammation markers without a clear cause.
About Dr. Abhi Chandra Maddineni
Dr. Abhi Chandra Maddineni is a Consultant Rheumatologist at Sri Disha Hospitals, Khammam, specialising in arthritis and autoimmune diseases.
His background in internal medicine means he looks at the whole patient, not just the joints. Autoimmune diseases often involve the skin, kidneys, lungs, eyes and blood, and he works with other specialists when needed.
Education
- DM – Clinical Immunology & RheumatologySuper-speciality in rheumatologyIMS, Bhubaneswar
- DNB – General MedicinePostgraduate degree in internal medicineKEM Hospital, Pune
- MBBSMedical degreePrathima Medical College, Karimnagar
Areas of focus
- Early diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis
- Lupus and other connective tissue diseases
- Vasculitis and myositis
- Safe use and monitoring of DMARDs and biologic medicines
- Bone health and osteoporosis in arthritis patients
What happens at your visit
Book by phone
Call either number to choose a time at Sri Disha Hospitals.
Consultation
A detailed history and joint examination. Bring all old reports and medicines.
Tests if needed
Only the blood tests or scans that will change your treatment.
Plan and follow-up
A clear treatment plan, with regular reviews to adjust medicines safely.
Book an appointment
Call to book, or send your details on WhatsApp and the clinic will call you back.
Get directions
అపాయింట్మెంట్ కోసం కాల్ చేయండి: 94403 50426 / 93983 21476. శ్రీ దిశ హాస్పిటల్స్, వైరా రోడ్, ఖమ్మం.
Patient questions
General information only. Your own treatment plan may differ, so always follow your doctor's advice.
Who is a rheumatologist?
A physician with extra training in diseases of the joints, muscles and immune system. Rheumatologists treat with medicines and do not perform joint surgery.
Is all joint pain arthritis?
No. Joint pain can come from injury, wear, infection or inflammation. Swelling, morning stiffness and pain in several joints suggest inflammatory arthritis and need early assessment.
Why does early treatment matter?
In rheumatoid arthritis and similar diseases, joint damage can begin in the first months. Starting the right medicine early protects the joints.
Are medicines like methotrexate safe?
Used correctly, yes. They are standard treatment for many forms of arthritis. Regular blood tests check the liver and blood counts, so keep every scheduled test.
Can I stop my medicines when I feel better?
No. Feeling better usually means the medicine is working. Stopping on your own can cause a flare. Your doctor may reduce doses gradually once the disease is controlled.
What about steroids?
Steroids act quickly but have side effects with long use, such as weight gain, diabetes, bone thinning and infections. The aim is the lowest dose for the shortest time.
Can I plan a pregnancy while on treatment?
Many women with lupus or arthritis have healthy pregnancies, but some medicines must be stopped months before. Plan pregnancy with your rheumatologist in advance.
Do diet and exercise help?
Regular exercise keeps joints flexible and muscles strong, and a healthy weight reduces strain on joints. People with gout should limit alcohol, sugary drinks and red meat.
Contact your doctor promptly if…
You develop fever, persistent cough, breathlessness, mouth sores, unusual bruising or bleeding, yellowing of the eyes, or a new rash while taking arthritis medicines.