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3 Best Rheumatologists in Chicago (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

Elara Kestrel
By Elara Kestrel, Health and Medical Expert · ✓ Data verified July 2026 · 7 min read

Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis get lumped together as joint pain, but the doctors who manage them well tend to lean one way or the other. Chicago's rheumatologists here have logged 352 reviews between them, and every single one holds a rating of 4.8 or above, a tighter cluster than almost any other specialty on this site, so the real differentiator is what each practice actually treats.

Short answer: The most-reviewed rheumatologist in Chicago is Chicago Arthritis and Regenerative Medicine (4.8 stars across 202 Google reviews), followed by Dr. Augustine M. Manadan and Dr. Alexandra Small, both rated near-perfect for autoimmune and inflammatory arthritis care. Costs vary by insurance coverage and treatment type, especially for regenerative procedures like PRP or stem cell therapy, so confirm coverage before scheduling anything beyond a standard consultation.
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Chicago's Top Rheumatologists Compared

# Business Rating Reviews Best for
1 Chicago Arthritis and Regenerative Medicine 4.8 ★ 202 Regenerative medicine & osteoarthritis View ›
2 Augustine M. Manadan, MD 5.0 ★ 95 Pain management & lupus View ›
3 Dr. Alexandra Small 4.9 ★ 55 Rheumatoid arthritis & chronic pain diagnosis View ›
3 Best Rheumatologists in Chicago (2026)

Our top picks, reviewed

Chicago Arthritis and Regenerative Medicine logo
#1 Overall🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Chicago Arthritis and Regenerative Medicine

4.8202 Google reviews

Chicago Arthritis and Regenerative Medicine, led by Dr. Siddharth Tambar, is a non-surgical orthopedic and rheumatology practice treating chronic musculoskeletal pain, inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, and offering regenerative options like PRP and bone-marrow concentrate (stem cell) procedures. The practice serves patients from across Chicago, Milwaukee, and Madison. It has the largest review base of any rheumatologist on this page.

What people praise

  • Regenerative options like PRP and stem cell therapy for patients told surgery was the only route
  • Reviewers describe thorough histories and clear treatment-plan explanations
  • Reviewers say the approach factors in the whole patient without dropping standard medical treatment
  • Musculoskeletal ultrasound used for diagnosis and guided injections

Worth knowing

  • Regenerative procedures like stem cell therapy are often not covered by standard insurance
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.8 / 5
Review volume202 · 94th
Confidencemoderate
Recency9 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown92% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The most-reviewed rheumatologist in Chicago and the strongest option here if you're specifically weighing regenerative or non-surgical alternatives for joint pain.

Website+1773-348-7171 Directions

618 W Fulton St, Chicago, IL 60661

Augustine M. Manadan, MD logo
#2

Augustine M. Manadan, MD

5.095 Google reviews

Dr. Augustine M. Manadan practices rheumatology through Rush University Medical Center, with reviews describing long-term care for rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and general pain management. One reviewer describes 19 years under his care for lupus specifically. He holds a perfect rating across every review on record.

What people praise

  • One reviewer cites 19 years of continuous care for lupus
  • Reviewers describe him as efficient and consistently helpful
  • Perfect rating with no negative reviews on file
  • Affiliated with Rush University Medical Center

Worth knowing

  • Reviews are shorter and less detailed than for other practices on this list
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating5 / 5
Review volume95 · 83th
Confidencemoderate
Recency8 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone
Rating breakdown100% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A perfect rating and a long track record with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis patients specifically, backed by a major academic medical center.

Website+1312-563-2800 Directions

1611 W Harrison St Suite 510, Chicago, IL 60612

Dr. Alexandra Small logo
#3🕑 Open 5 days/wk

Dr. Alexandra Small

4.955 Google reviews

Dr. Alexandra Small (also referred to as Dr. Katz-Small in reviews) practices with Rheumatology Associates, a private practice affiliated with Rush University Medical Center and Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Reviewers describe her diagnosing and managing rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic pain conditions that had gone unexplained by previous doctors, including through a pregnancy. She is noted for proactively calling patients between appointments to check on their status.

What people praise

  • Reviewers describe her diagnosing conditions other doctors had missed for years
  • Proactively calls patients to check on treatment progress, per multiple reviews
  • Managed a patient's rheumatoid arthritis safely through pregnancy, per a review
  • Near-perfect rating across her review base

Worth knowing

  • Smallest review base on this list
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.9 / 5
Review volume55 · 72th
Confidenceearly
Recency6 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown96% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Highly rated for listening to patients whose symptoms were previously dismissed, with a review base still smaller than the other names here as her practice builds its public track record.

Website Book now+1312-226-8228 Directions

1725 W Harrison St #365, Chicago, IL 60612

4

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Health information disclaimer: This directory is informational only and not medical advice. Rankings reflect publicly available Google ratings and review volume, not clinical outcomes. Verify any practitioner’s credentials and registration with the relevant medical board before booking.

How we score

Every number on this page comes from public Google data on the date shown, not opinion or payment. Rating is each doctor’s live Google star average. Review volume shows how many patients have left a review, ranked against other Chicago rheumatologists. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a rating built on 200 reviews carries more weight than the same score from a dozen. Recency reflects how recently patients are still reviewing. No business can pay to change these numbers.

How much does a rheumatologist cost in Chicago? (2026)

Standard rheumatology consultations are typically covered by insurance with the right referral, but regenerative treatments like PRP or stem cell therapy are often billed separately and may not be covered at all. None of the practices above publish a fixed public rate card, so confirm your insurance coverage and any out-of-pocket costs for specific treatments before scheduling.

Serving all of Chicago

These rheumatologists practice in Chicago’s medical district near the Illinois Medical District and West Loop, with academic ties to Rush University Medical Center and Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Searching for a rheumatologist near me in Chicago? Every listing below shows a live phone number and address so you can check current availability.

What to ask before you see a rheumatologist

  • Do I need a referral from my primary care doctor for insurance to cover this visit?
  • What tests are typically run at a first appointment, and are they covered?
  • If regenerative treatment like PRP or stem cells is suggested, is it covered by insurance?
  • How long does it typically take to see improvement with the recommended treatment?
  • Which hospital or health system is the doctor affiliated with?
  • How does the practice handle flare-ups or questions between scheduled visits?

Frequently asked questions

How did you choose these rheumatologists?

We started from real rheumatologists in Chicago with a public Google presence, then ranked by rating, review volume, consistency, and recency. See How we score above.

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from the public Google data in the scorecard. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner, which adds a badge and top placement, but that never changes another business’s score or position on the underlying data.

How often is this updated?

The data carries a verified date (July 2026 on this page). We refresh listings periodically so ratings and review counts stay current.

Do any of these practices offer regenerative treatments like stem cell therapy?

Chicago Arthritis and Regenerative Medicine specifically offers PRP and bone-marrow concentrate procedures. Confirm insurance coverage directly, since these treatments are often not fully covered.

How much does a rheumatologist visit cost in Chicago?

This depends heavily on your insurance and the specific treatment recommended, and no outcome can be guaranteed in advance. Confirm coverage and costs with the practice and your insurer before your appointment.

The bottom line

Chicago Arthritis and Regenerative Medicine is the safe default on proven volume and offers regenerative options the others don’t, while Dr. Manadan and Dr. Small both hold near-perfect ratings for standard rheumatology care. Confirm your insurance referral requirements before booking with any of them.

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