The Blackheath Hospital
40 - 42 Lee Terrace, Blackheath, London, SE3 9UD DirectionsPhone
Opening hours
Mon - Sun: 24 hours
Due to COVID restrictions no visitors are currently allowed
Car parking
Yes - 77 spaces
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Expert assessment for joint and muscle pains
Your musculoskeletal system is made up of joints, muscles, ligament and bones. It is such an important part of your body and its ability to function that any problem within it can have a significant effect on your health, vitality and quality of life.
Rheumatic problems are often long-term (chronic), and many people who visit our Consultant Rheumatologists will have been in pain for a long time.
Rheumatic conditions can cause many symptoms, but common ones include:
Conditions that may cause these symptoms include:
If you have one or more of these symptoms or conditions, it is sensible to see a Rheumatologist for expert help.
The Consultant Rheumatologists at The Blackheath Hospital in London provide comprehensive investigation of rheumatic condition and symptoms. They would be delighted to meet with you and help you to get the most appropriate support for your specific condition as soon as possible.
Where a rheumatic condition involves inflammation, various medicines are available to help reduce swelling.
If you have pain that is not being controlled, your consultant may prescribe stronger painkillers if appropriate.
Steroid injections can be very helpful for a number of rheumatic conditions as they have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. If these are effective at managing your symptoms they can be repeated at certain intervals. Depending on where your pain is, the injection might be given by your Rheumatologist or by a Radiologist using ultrasound guidance for precision.
Surgery is not often needed but may be helpful in some cases where symptoms are particularly severe. Where damage to the joint is extensive (such as in advanced rheumatoid arthritis for example), joint replacement surgery may be advised to replace the damaged joint with a prosthetic one. If surgery would be a suitable treatment option, your consultant will refer you to one of the Orthopaedic Surgeons at the hospital for expert help.
Whatever joint or muscle problems you have, whether your symptoms are relatively mild or more severe, the Rheumatology team at The Blackheath Hospital will make sure you receive treatment tailored to your specific requirements as soon as possible.
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.
You can self-refer. People are often referred by their GP, a consultant in another speciality like orthopaedics, endocrinology or cardiology, from occupational health or their private medical insurance provider.
We treat private medical insurance and self-pay patients.
When you visit a Consultant Rheumatologist at Blackheath Hospital you will benefit from:
If you have any concerns about symptoms relating to joint or muscle pain, book your appointment online with one of our Rheumatology specialists to get clarity about the best way forward.
Consultant Rheumatologist
MB BS, FRCP, PhD
The Blackheath Hospital
Consultant Rheumatologist
MD FRCP
The Blackheath Hospital 1 more Chelsfield Park Hospital
Consultant Rheumatologist
MA (Cantab), MBBS, FRCP
The Blackheath Hospital
Consultant Rheumatologist
MB chB DM FRCP
The Blackheath Hospital 1 more The London Independent Hospital