Rheumatology

Rheumatology is an area of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatological conditions , a range of conditions affecting the joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. A doctor specialising in treating rheumatological conditions is called a rheumatologist. Rheumatologists are doctors who have completed medical school and undergone further specialist training in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal conditions and rheumatic disease.

You may need to see a rheumatologist if you have symptoms of a rheumatological condition, or have already been diagnosed, but your condition requires monitoring or treatment. 

Rheumatology is a broad speciality covering many different conditions and procedures. The cost of your treatment will depend on the type of treatment you are having, as well as the hospital and consultant you choose. Many of our individual treatment pages include guide prices, and you can also call our team and request a tailored quote for a specific procedure.

You can access private rheumatological treatment with us using private medical insurance or by paying for your own treatment.

Often, rheumatological treatment will be covered by your private health insurance, but not always. Speak to your provider directly to see what's covered in your policy.

If you want to pay for your own treatment, you can either pay in full or take advantage of our flexible payment options, which allow you to spread the cost over a period of up to five years.

Our self-pay customers benefit from fixed-price packages, meaning you'll know exactly what you're going to pay before you book your rheumatological treatment. Your initial consultation and early diagnostic tests won't be included, but the cost of your treatment and hospital fees are, and so is your aftercare programme (including physiotherapy). There are no hidden costs down the line.

Symptoms of rheumatological conditions vary depending on the condition you have, how severe it is and other factors like your age and general health. Many rheumatological conditions share similar symptoms, such as pain, stiffness, and swelling.

Some common symptoms of rheumatological conditions include: 

• Joint pain: Pain in your joints may be mild or severe and may occur some or all of the time. Pain can also be worse after rest, or during certain activities
• Stiffness: Joint stiffness is often worse in the morning or after periods of rest 
• Swelling: Your affected joints may appear swollen, red, and feel warm to the touch
• Fatigue: Extreme tiredness and lack of energy even after rest is common with rheumatological conditions 
• Difficulty moving: Pain and stiffness may make moving your affected joint difficult, leading to reduced mobility 
• Flares and remissions: Some rheumatological conditions involve periods where your symptoms get worse (flares), followed by periods where they improve (remission) 
• Systemic symptoms: With some  rheumatological conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjögren's syndrome, symptoms can affect other parts of your body and may include dry eyes and mouth, skin rashes, heart, lung or kidney problems

Rheumatology encompasses a range of musculoskeletal conditions that cause inflammation in your muscles, joints and other soft tissues. Many rheumatological conditions are autoimmune diseases, which occur when your immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues. However, others, like osteoarthritis, have different causes.

Some common rheumatological conditions include:

Osteoarthritis (OA) 

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the UK and occurs when the protective cartilage at the ends of your bones breaks down, leading to inflammation, pain, swelling and stiffness. It is most common in the knees, hips and the small joints in the hands. Unlike many other rheumatological conditions, OA occurs gradually due to wear and tear on your joints. The condition is more common in older adults, particularly females.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the lining of your joints and sometimes other areas of your body. The main symptoms are pain, swelling and stiffness in your joints. RA typically affects your hands, wrists and feet, but other joints can be affected. You may also experience fatigue, low-grade fever, skin rashes and weight loss. People with RA typically experience flares followed by periods of remission. Untreated RA can lead to inflammation in other parts of your body, including your skin, heart, lungs, blood vessels and eyes, which can increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke and lead to permanent joint damage or deformity.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic (long-term) condition that causes pain and stiffness throughout your body. Other symptoms may include increased sensitivity to pain, sleep problems, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Symptoms of fibromyalgia may periodically flare up or improve. The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but it is thought to occur due to a combination of factors, including genetic predisposition, changes in the way your nervous system processes pain signals, or physical or emotional stress.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

SLE is an autoimmune disorder that can cause inflammation in various parts of your body, including your skin, kidneys, lungs, cardiovascular system and joints. Symptoms of lupus may include muscle and joint pain, skin rashes, fatigue, headaches, mouth ulcers, depression and anxiety. People with SLE typically experience flares followed by periods of remission.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS)

This is a type of inflammatory arthritis that affects your spinal and sacroiliac joints (the joints that connect your spine to your pelvis). It can also affect other joints such as your hips, shoulders and knees. The main symptoms of AS are lower back pain and stiffness, and fatigue.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA)

Like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis is a type of inflammatory arthritis that occurs when your immune system attacks its own tissues (autoimmune disease). It is associated with the skin condition psoriasis, and around a third of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis. The condition most commonly affects the joints in your fingers, toes, ankles, and knees, but can also occur in your spine, sacroiliac joints, elbows, hips, and wrists. The condition can flare up due to triggers such as stress, infection, smoking, diet, or changes in the weather.

Symptoms of PsA include joint pain, swelling, stiffness (that is often worse in the morning), fatigue and swelling of your fingers or toes (dactylitis). Your affected joints may appear red and feel hot to the touch.

Gout (and pseudogout)

Gout is another type of inflammatory arthritis that is caused by high levels of uric acid in your blood (hyperuricaemia). This build-up of uric acid leads to urate crystals forming in and around your joints, causing inflammation and pain. Uric acid can build up in your blood either because your body produces too much uric acid, your kidneys don’t excrete it effectively, or both. Foods high in chemicals called purines, such as red meat, organ meats and seafood, can also increase uric acid levels and lead to gout. Gout symptoms include sudden, severe pain, redness and heat around a joint. It commonly affects your big toe joint, but can also affect other joints such as your hands, wrists, feet, ankles, elbows or knees.

Pseudogout is a similar condition that occurs when calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals form around a joint, causing pain, redness and swelling. It commonly affects larger joints like the knees and wrists. The exact cause of pseudogout is unknown, but it may be linked to other medical conditions such as hypothyroidism and low magnesium levels. 

Treatment for rheumatological conditions includes medication, lifestyle changes, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and in some cases, surgery. Your consultant will create an individualised treatment plan for you depending on your diagnosis, general health, medical history and previous treatments you have tried.

Medications

Medications are often the first line of treatment for rheumatological conditions. The medication or combination of medications you are prescribed will depend on your diagnosis. Some medications for treating rheumatological conditions include:

• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs): These are used to treat inflammatory rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. They work by reducing inflammation and slowing the progression of the disease
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs):  These drugs help reduce inflammation and relieve pain
• Corticosteroids: Work by reducing inflammation in your joints

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy uses targeted exercises and other techniques like manual therapy, acupuncture, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), and hydrotherapy to improve your muscle strength, flexibility, function and range of motion.

Occupational therapy

Occupational therapy teaches skills and techniques to make everyday tasks easier and improve your independence. This may include teaching you different ways to do an activity, using assistive devices, and adapting your environment to make tasks easier.

Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle changes are often recommended in combination with the above treatments to improve your general health, help you manage your symptoms and increase your independence and quality of life.

Your consultant may recommend the following lifestyle changes:

• Weight management: Being overweight increases stress on your joints, so lose weight if you need to and aim to keep your weight within healthy limits
• Exercise: Regular low-impact exercise such as walking, yoga, or swimming can help improve your strength, flexibility, range of motion and mobility
• Diet: Following a healthy, balanced diet, such as the Mediterranean diet and limiting processed foods can reduce inflammation and improve your symptoms
• Rest: Take adequate rest and avoid putting too much pressure on your joints. Take breaks between activities and stop if you feel tired or have pain
• Stress management: Stress can trigger a flare in your symptoms, so aim to manage your stress levels with activities like yoga, meditation, or walks in nature
• Stop smoking: Smoking is bad for your overall health and can make symptoms of some rheumatological conditions worse

Surgery

If your condition is severe, impacting your daily life and not improving with other treatments, your consultant may recommend surgery to repair or replace your joint. 

Unless your GP, primary care provider, or insurer has told you otherwise, the first step in booking your treatment is usually an initial consultation with a rheumatologist. Your specialist consultant will assess your symptoms and general health, spend time getting to know you, and create a personalised treatment plan that is tailored to your needs. 

Booking a consultation is easy with Circle Health Group. You can either call our dedicated team of friendly advisors or use our quick and simple online booking system. 

Circle Health Group is a leader in providing the best in private healthcare and has the expertise and experience to put your mind at rest and ensure you get the most up-to-date treatment and care.

When you choose to go private with Circle Health Group, you can expect:

• Flexible appointment times and locations that are convenient for you
• The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant best suits your needs
• Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
• Comfortable and safe private facilities with expert multidisciplinary care 
• Private ensuite rooms as standard, and a range of delicious, healthy meals
• Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
• Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care

If you would like to learn more about private treatment for a rheumatological condition, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly.

1. What is rheumatology?, British Society for Rheumatology 
2. Rheumatology, NHS 
3. What is rheumatology?, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust