When you come to The Blackheath Hospital in London for your initial Rheumatology consultation, your consultant will take a medical history and talk with you about your symptoms in detail. They will want to know:
- What symptoms do you have?
- How long have you had these symptoms?
- If you are in pain, can you describe it?
- Have you already received any treatment, like prescribed medication?
- Does anything (food, drink, tiredness, stress, time of day) make your symptoms worse or better?
They will carry out a physical examination to determine the current range of movement in the affected joint(s) and to determine where exactly you are feeling any pain or stiffness.
It may be that the cause of your symptoms can be diagnosed within your first consultation, and treatment will often be able to begin right away with either a prescription or a steroid injection.
In other cases, further investigation may be needed. Blood tests can be a helpful diagnostic tool for many rheumatic issues, and you may also be referred for X-ray, ultrasound or an MRI scan, all of which are available on-site.
Your consultant will explain the results of any tests with you and will use them to tailor a treatment plan with you.
If your symptoms are more severe and surgery is required, this will be fully discussed with you. In these situations, your consultant will work closely with the Orthopaedic Surgeons on your behalf to make sure that you receive the most appropriate help as quickly as possible.
Rheumatic conditions may flare-up for no obvious reason, or you may have new symptoms. Regular follow-up with your consultant means that treatment can be adjusted when needed to ensure you keep benefitting from the best possible relief of symptoms.