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.
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
The Stable Patient Pathway is a method of regularly reviewing patients who have stable disease in yearly clinics. Patients will either see a consultant or a specialist Nurse.
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.
Rheumatology patient information
01296 255770
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.