Dr Harshini
Consultant Rheumatologist & Arthritis Expert
“Although she is very young, her command over professional skills is highly appreciated”, says one of Dr Harshini’s patients, praising her ability to listen with genuine empathy.
Dr Harshini has built a strong reputation as a Consultant Clinical Immunologist and Rheumatologist, currently practicing at Fortis Hospitals in Bangalore. She completed her graduation from M. S. Ramaiah Medical College, followed by an MD in Internal Medicine at Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, and a post-doctoral fellowship in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology at Christian Medical College, Vellore. Dr Harshini has also trained in musculoskeletal ultrasonography through the Indian Rheumatology Association and EULAR, strengthening her diagnostic expertise.
Full Spectrum of Rheumatology Care
Rheumatology covers a wide range of conditions, many of which affect the joints, muscles, and immune system. Some of the most common joint-related diseases Dr Harshini treats include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis, crystal arthritis like gout, and fibromyalgia.
She cares for patients with complex connective tissue diseases such as lupus, Sjogren syndrome, scleroderma, inflammatory myositis, and interstitial lung diseases, as well as vasculitis disorders like Takayasu arteritis and ANCA vasculitis and various allergic conditions. Her expertise also includes paediatric rheumatological diseases and immunodeficiency disorders, providing comprehensive care for both adults and children.
“I owe what I am today in the field of rheumatology to my teachers at CMC”, Dr Harshini says. “One special person who made me fall in love with the subject, nurtured my interest in research, and, more than all, taught me patient care, was my guru, the late Professor Dr. Debashish Danda.”
Diagnostic & Treatment Methods
Dr Harshini uses a combination of tests and techniques to ensure every patient receives the right diagnosis and treatment. Blood tests are usually the first step, including checks for inflammation and disease-specific antibodies tailored to each condition. Radiological methods such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs help provide a detailed view of the joints and tissues.
Most patients are treated with medications in tablet form, but if some one does not respond well or develop serious complications, injections, sometimes advanced ones are used. She also uses specialized procedures such as musculoskeletal ultrasonography nail fold video capillaroscopy, joint aspiration and injection, ultrasound-guided injections, salivary gland biopsy, and muscle biopsy.
In particular, musculoskeletal ultrasonography has become a key part of Dr Harshini’s practice. It helps her diagnose conditions such as early arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and gout and is especially useful when planning guided procedures like joint injections, replacing older blind techniques.
Nail fold video capillaroscopy is another tool she frequently uses. This simple bedside test allows her to examine capillaries directly and identify abnormalities that point to specific connective tissue diseases, such as scleroderma, mixed connective tissue disease, or myositis.
A Patient’s Story
Over the years, Dr Harshini has treated countless patients. One among them left a lasting impression. About three years ago, a mid-thirties woman, who had been suffering from severe rheumatoid arthritis for over a decade reached out to Dr Harshini. Having been treated by several leading rheumatologists across the country, the patient had undergone hip replacement surgeries and received some of the most advanced medications available, including biologicals.
Despite all this, she still relied on daily steroids and painkillers, which not only hampered the quality of her life, but also made it difficult for her to conceive. The emotional stress was compounded by family pressures, and she was struggling both physically and mentally.
When she started seeing Dr Harshini, her treatment plan was carefully revised. Steroids were gradually reduced and eventually stopped, painkillers were eliminated, and she was referred to a gynecologist to support her journey toward conception. With continuous guidance and careful monitoring, she was able to conceive and carry her pregnancy without major complications. “About six months later, she came into my clinic, smiling and holding her baby in her arms”, Dr Harshini recalls. “Moments like these give me true satisfaction. Even small changes in treatment, along with support and understanding, can completely change a patient’s life”.
Shaping the Future of Care
For Dr Harshini, any new technology in medicine must be proven and thoroughly researched before it is used in practice. She emphasizes that patient care comes first, and only when a method or tool is well-validated does she incorporate it into her work. In her practice, newer technologies like musculoskeletal ultrasonography and nail fold capillaroscopy are routinely used. She also employs electronic medical records, which have replaced handwritten prescriptions.
Research and academics are equally important in Dr Harshini’s approach. She believes that research paves the way for better management, whether through new diagnostic tests, medications, or understanding their effectiveness in real-world practice.
Teaching and mentoring have always been a passion for her, and she strives to contribute to academics by educating more doctors in the field, helping them provide optimal care. For Dr Harshini, staying engaged with innovation, research, and teaching forms an essential part of her vision for the future.
Dr Harshini uses a combination of tests and techniques to ensure every patient receives the right diagnosis and treatment. Blood tests are usually the first step, including checks for inflammation and disease-specific antibodies tailored to each condition. Radiological methods such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs help provide a detailed view of the joints and tissues.
Every patient carries a unique set of symptoms, and because each person is different, we must take an individualized approach to their management
Most patients are treated with medications in tablet form, but if some one does not respond well or develop serious complications, injections, sometimes advanced ones are used. She also uses specialized procedures such as musculoskeletal ultrasonography nail fold video capillaroscopy, joint aspiration and injection, ultrasound-guided injections, salivary gland biopsy, and muscle biopsy.
In particular, musculoskeletal ultrasonography has become a key part of Dr Harshini’s practice. It helps her diagnose conditions such as early arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and gout and is especially useful when planning guided procedures like joint injections, replacing older blind techniques.
Nail fold video capillaroscopy is another tool she frequently uses. This simple bedside test allows her to examine capillaries directly and identify abnormalities that point to specific connective tissue diseases, such as scleroderma, mixed connective tissue disease, or myositis.
A Patient’s Story
Over the years, Dr Harshini has treated countless patients. One among them left a lasting impression. About three years ago, a mid-thirties woman, who had been suffering from severe rheumatoid arthritis for over a decade reached out to Dr Harshini. Having been treated by several leading rheumatologists across the country, the patient had undergone hip replacement surgeries and received some of the most advanced medications available, including biologicals.
Despite all this, she still relied on daily steroids and painkillers, which not only hampered the quality of her life, but also made it difficult for her to conceive. The emotional stress was compounded by family pressures, and she was struggling both physically and mentally.
When she started seeing Dr Harshini, her treatment plan was carefully revised. Steroids were gradually reduced and eventually stopped, painkillers were eliminated, and she was referred to a gynecologist to support her journey toward conception. With continuous guidance and careful monitoring, she was able to conceive and carry her pregnancy without major complications. “About six months later, she came into my clinic, smiling and holding her baby in her arms”, Dr Harshini recalls. “Moments like these give me true satisfaction. Even small changes in treatment, along with support and understanding, can completely change a patient’s life”.
Shaping the Future of Care
For Dr Harshini, any new technology in medicine must be proven and thoroughly researched before it is used in practice. She emphasizes that patient care comes first, and only when a method or tool is well-validated does she incorporate it into her work. In her practice, newer technologies like musculoskeletal ultrasonography and nail fold capillaroscopy are routinely used. She also employs electronic medical records, which have replaced handwritten prescriptions.
Research and academics are equally important in Dr Harshini’s approach. She believes that research paves the way for better management, whether through new diagnostic tests, medications, or understanding their effectiveness in real-world practice.
Teaching and mentoring have always been a passion for her, and she strives to contribute to academics by educating more doctors in the field, helping them provide optimal care. For Dr Harshini, staying engaged with innovation, research, and teaching forms an essential part of her vision for the future.
