Rheumatology

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:

• take painkillers regularly to avoid the pain building up
• take your anti-inflammatories regularly, as prescribed, with or after food to reduce tummy irritation
• rest the affected joints
• elevate the joints such as the knees or feet if possible – use pillows to support your neck and shoulders
• reduce stiffness in your inflamed joints by moving them as comfort allows. Take painkillers about 20 mins before you try to do this
• use warmth for stiff, painful joints, for example a heat pad or hot water bottle but make sure you cover it to protect your skin
• have a bath or shower if you can to reduce stiffness and allow more joint movement
  use a cold pack for hot, swollen joints. Protect your skin with a towel or cloth. Don’t use a cold pack on the back of your neck
• use splints for hand or wrist flares. If you find them uncomfortable to wear all the time, try and wear them for short periods during the day
• ask for help, don’t try and do everything yourself – pace and prioritise your activities.

Exercises that strengthen muscles often help with joint pain. If you’d like advice about this, please ask us about any suitable exercises or if you’d 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 you’re having repeated flares.

Our service is piloting a system known as ‘Patient-initiated follow-up’ or ‘PIFU’ 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) 

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.

Find out more about our stable patient pathway.

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.

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• Support for osteoporosis 
• Support for patients living with rheumatoid arthritis
• Information and advice for patients with scleroderma and Raynaud’s