Rheumatology
We care for patients with joint, bone, muscle, ligament and immune system conditions.
We care for patients with joint, bone, muscle, ligament and immune system conditions.
We see patients at Stoke Mandeville, Amersham and Wycombe hospitals. We also treat patients in community settings across Buckinghamshire.
At our day unit at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, we offer biologic and cytotoxic infusion (drug) treatments as well as intravenous therapies. We also provide a consultation service for inpatients based at Stoke Mandeville and Wycombe hospitals.
We have access to a range of diagnostic facilities including X-Ray, CT, MRI, DEXA, NCS/EMG and musculoskeletal ultrasound.
These include:
We also work with the pain management service to help you manage chronic pain.
We treat rheumatoid arthritis patients through the rapid access pathway. It gives you regular access to care and support when you need it.
The pathway follows a 4-step process to help you get the treatment you need.
Youâll need to be in a stable condition and attend this session progress through the pathway. Weâll tell you how to access our flare helpline, as well as occupational therapy and podiatry services.
Youâll get a plan detailing the care you will get. Weâll also send a copy of this plan to your GP.
This will happen 3 to 6 months after you enrol on the pathway. A specialist nurse will discuss your symptoms, blood test results, medication and general wellbeing.
Weâll send you a letter detailing what we have discussed. Weâll also tell your GP about any changes to your care.
Weâll invite you to a consultation 2 years after you enrol on the pathway. A specialist nurse will:
Weâll write to your GP telling them about the outcomes of your consultation. If your condition is stable and youâre happy to stay on the pathway, weâll schedule another consultation in 6 months time.
If your condition flares up, you can call our helpline. Youâll get an urgent clinic appointment within 10 days. Weâll assess you and make any changes to your treatment. Youâll continue to get hospital appointments until your condition stabilises. You can then join the rapid access pathway again.
They can affect 1 or 2 joints or several joints at one time. Flares can occur at any time and can last for a few hours to several days.
Inflammation or damaged joints can cause a flare. Inflammatory pain can feel worse in the morning after inactivity. Mechanical pain due to damaged joints often feels worse after repeated use of the affected joint.
How to manage a flare can depend on the affected joints, and if your pain is inflammatory or mechanical.
The aim is to reduce pain and any inflammation. Below are some tips which may help:
Exercises that strengthen muscles often help with joint pain. If youâd like advice about this, please ask us about any suitable exercises or if youâd like a referral for physiotherapy. We can also give you a leaflet about hand exercises – call the helpline below for more details.
Phone the helpline if your flare persists for more than 2 to 3 days or if youâre having repeated flares.
Our service is piloting a system known as âPatient-initiated follow-upâ or âPIFUâ for short, that puts you, the patient, in control of when you are seen by the service. If you have been advised by those caring for you that you have been recommended for patient-initiated follow-up please click here to view more information about how it works: Patient-Initiated Follow-Up (PIFU)Â
You may receive an invitation to attend an online video appointment. Find out more about our online video appointments system including a link to access the portal for rheumatology video appointments.
01296 315960
Leave your name, telephone number and details of your problem on our answering machine and weâll return your call.
Weâll call you back within 24 hours during the week, and 48 hours over the weekend.