Rheumatology examines, diagnoses and treats patients experiencing inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions, which affect the bones, joints, muscles and soft tissue causing swelling, stiffness, pain and occasionally deformity.
There are over 200 musculoskeletal conditions and disorders that can occur around the body. These can be inflammatory and non-inflammatory and can vary from acute to chronic conditions. While the frequency of some conditions such as arthritis increases with age, musculoskeletal disorders can affect all age groups and our consultants regularly see patients from all walks of life.
The vast number of possible affected areas demand a comprehensive array of facilities and a multifaceted team of expert consultants working in unison to diagnose and treat all possible conditions effectively.
If you are suffering from any rheumatological symptoms, you should consider booking a private appointment with our consultants. Our Rheumatologists frequently see patients with:
- Persistent joint pain
- Inflammation indicated by joint swelling
- Tenderness of the joints
- Stiffness, redness or warmth
- Joint deformity
- Fatigue, lack of energy or weakness
- Loss of range of motion or flexibility
On appointment, your private clinician will discuss appropriate investigative tests and treatments for a fast and accurate diagnosis. We regularly carry out further examinations for patients experiencing the above symptoms using blood tests (immunology and genetic tests), MRI, X-ray and ultrasound tests, all available at Ross Hall Hospital.
Our consultant Rheumatologists regularly see patients experiencing the following musculoskeletal conditions:
- Osteoporosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Lupus, including the full spectrum of connective tissue disorders
- Osteoarthritis
- Spondylitis
- Fibromyalgia
- Polymyalgia rheumatica
- Gout
- Soft tissue conditions with the provision of steroid injections
- Autoimmune rheumatic disorders
- Spinal pain
The vast majority of patients are treated in outpatients; there is never a need for inpatient treatment.
Rheumatologists will commonly refer patients to other specialties within Ross Hall Hospital such as orthopaedics, pain management, neurology, neurosurgery and physical therapy for specialised diagnosis and treatment.