Rheumatology
Rheumatology is a medical specialty that cares for a wide range of conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system. It is used to describe painful conditions of the joints, muscles and surrounding soft tissues.
We look after patients with Inflammatory Arthritis, Osteoarthritis and Connective tissue diseases such as Lupus, Systemic sclerosis or Vasculitis. We also see patients with soft tissue rheumatic complaints and fibromyalgia, although a lot of these conditions are now managed in GP practices.
Many of the conditions treated are linked with the immune system attacking different body tissues.
What do we offer?
The Rheumatology Service is predominantly outpatient-based. Clinics are held either in Clinic 1 at King's Mill Hospital, or the Outpatient Department at Newark Hospital.
The rheumatology department offers the following clinics:
- Daily consultant or nurse specialist appointments
- Nurse-led blood monitoring
- Paediatric rheumatology
- Pharmacist-led medication screening
- Physiotherapist-led steroid joint injections
- Skin diseases in rheumatology.
We also provide Daycase treatments, including:
- Biologic and immunosuppressive infusion therapy
- Joint aspirations and injections
- Soft tissue injections.
We offer specialist advice to inpatients as well as GPs. However, we do not provide an out-of-hours service. Our dedicated rheumatology occupational therapists and research team can also be accessed through the department.
