Rheumatology

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a rare type of arthritis which causes stiffness and pain in the patients spine.

The condition most commonly begins in the lower back but can travel up to the neck or even affect other parts of the body.

“Ankylosis” means fused bones or hardened tissue. “Spondylitis” means inflammation in the bones (vertebrae) of your spine. Severe cases can lead to a hunched appearance of the spine.

Currently, there is no cure for AS however, medication and special exercises can ease pain and help keep your back strong.

Joint injections or aspirations (taking fluid out of a joint) are often performed with the help of a local anesthesia.

After the skin surface is thoroughly cleaned, a needle in injected directly into the affected joint. Through this, fluid can be removed (aspirated) or steroids can be injected into the joint. Steroids injected treat the inflammation inside the joint resulting in decreased swelling and pain.

Commonly injected joints include the knee, shoulder, ankle, elbow, wrist, base of the thumb, and small joints of the hands and feet.

Lupus is an autoimmune condition, where instead of your body’s immune system fighting off disease, it starts attacking your own healthy tissues. Symptoms vary from person to person, but generally, symptoms include joint pain, swelling, skin rashes or sores in mouth or nose.

As lupus is a life long disease, it’s important to see and check in with your Rheumatologist to help structure your treatment. Our specialists will guide you through tests and appropriate treatment, to help give you the best care and knowledge you’ll need to treat yourself, in the best form possible.

Osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones wears down over time. This can occur in any joint, damaging it.

Our Rheumatologists provide the necessary treatment to help with the disease. They can help you to discover ways to do everyday tasks without putting stress on your, already painful, joint.

The diverse Rheumatology plan, which our specialists will offer patients, is individual and comprehensive. They will structure and adapt plans and goals to suit the person’s lifestyle and requirements, providing motivation, support and guidance, all the way.

Osteoporosis occurs when the density and quality of bones are reduced. As time goes on, bones can become more fragile and at greater risk to fracture. The progression of this disease might occur, with little to no symptoms, meaning it can often develop, unnoticed.

Our expert Rheumatologists will advise and support you through your diagnosis, and treatment. They can offer the best medical advice to combat your osteoporosis. Today, there are many medical options to help this disease, inhibit the pain and allow you to live your lifestyle, in the best form possible.

Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis that sometimes affects people suffering from psoriasis.

Most sufferers develop psoriasis first and later can be diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. Occasionaly, joint problems begin before skin patches appear.

Joint pain, stiffness and swelling are the main symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. They can affect any part of the body. This includes fingertips and spine. Pain and swelling can range from relatively mild to severe. Similar to psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis disease flare ups may alternate with periods of remission.

No cure for psoriatic arthritis exists, so the focus is on controlling symptoms and preventing damage to your joints.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect more than just the joints. In some people, the condition damages a variety of body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart and blood vessels.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder meaning it occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body.

Unlike the wear-and-tear damage of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of your joints. It causes painful swellings that may result in bone erosion and joint deformity.

Inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis can damage other parts of the body as well.

Vasculitis is the inflammation of your blood vessels. It causes the blood vessel walls to change; thickening, weakening, narrowing and scarring. These changes can restrict blood flow, resulting in organ and tissue damages.

A Rheumatologist will advise you on how best to control the inflammation with medications and helping with other problems which may trigger this vasculitis. Our expert Rheumatologists will recommend what treatments will work best for the individual based on their situation.