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About Arnold Ceponis, MD, PhD

Arnold Ceponis, MD, PhD, is a board-certified rheumatologist who diagnoses and treats various rheumatic and autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid, psoriatic and osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, gout, pseudogout, systemic lupus, scleroderma, mixed connective tissue disease, Sjögren's syndrome, myositis, systemic vasculitis and others. He also performs diagnostic and interventional ultrasound to diagnose and treat conditions such as tendinitis, trigger finger, carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, shoulder/rotator cuff disease, and other minor sports or repetitive injuries.

As an associate professor in the Department of Medicine, Dr. Ceponis is directly involved in teaching medical students, residents and rheumatology fellows at UC San Diego School of Medicine, where he also serves as program director of the Rheumatology Fellowship Program. His scholarly interest includes research on rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, gout, vasculitis, hemophilic arthropathy, and imaging in rheumatic diseases and other fields.

Dr. Ceponis is a nationally recognized expert and instructor in the field of musculoskeletal ultrasound. He has contributed to textbooks, presented at national and international meetings, and pioneered the introduction of musculoskeletal ultrasound in the diagnoses and management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome and hemophilic arthropathy. Dr. Ceponis has authored and co-authored multiple publications in major rheumatology journals such as Arthritis & Rheumatology, Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases and The Journal of Rheumatology, among others.

He completed his rheumatology fellowship at UC San Diego School of Medicine and his residency at St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor Hospital in Mich. Dr. Ceponis earned his medical degree from Medical Academy of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences and his PhD degree from Helsinki University in Finland.

He is board certified in internal medicine and rheumatology. Dr. Ceponis also holds the Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Certification in Rheumatology (RhMSUS) from the American College of Rheumatology.

UC San Diego Health Links
For more information, see Rheumatology.

Medical DegreeLithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas Medical Academy, Kaunas, LithuaniaFellowshipUC San Diego, School of Medicine, San Diego, CAResidencySt. Joseph Mercy Health System, Ann Arbor, MIFellowshipJohnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, La Jolla, CA
GenderMale
Date Joined Staff2011-07-22
Board Certifications
American Board of Internal MedicineRheumatology
Conditions and Treatments
  • Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
  • Ultrasound-Guided Musculoskeletal Procedures/Injections
  • Arthritis
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Scleroderma
  • Vasculitis
  • Myositis
  • Sjögren's Syndrome
  • Psoriatic Arthritis
  • Ankylosing Spondylitis
  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
  • Mixed Connective Tissue Disease
  • Tendonitis
  • Bursitis
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Trigger Finger
  • Sports Injuries

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