Rheumatology

Rheumatology services in Dorset provide comprehensive care for a range of conditions that affect the joints, bones, and muscles. Some of the most common conditions we see include:

• Rheumatoid arthritis:
  an autoimmune disease that can cause joint inflammation, pain, and deformity
• Psoriatic arthritis:
  a type of arthritis that can occur in people with psoriasis, causing joint pain, stiffness, and swelling
• Gout:
  a type of arthritis that results from uric acid crystals building up in the joints, causing pain and inflammation
• Osteoporosis:
  a condition that causes bones to become weak and brittle, increasing the risk of fractures
• Connective tissue diseases such as lupus and vasculitis:
  conditions that cause inflammation and pain across a range of the body’s connective tissues, including joints, skin, and organs

During your appointment, our experienced team will work with you to assess your symptoms, diagnose your condition, and develop a personalised treatment plan. This may involve a combination of medication, physical therapy, lifestyle modifications, and other interventions to help manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

We also work closely with a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, including nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, podiatrists and specialist pharmacists to provide comprehensive care that addresses your needs. Our goal is to ensure that you receive the support and resources you need to manage your condition, maintain and hopefully improve your overall health and wellbeing.

We understand that living with a chronic painful condition can be challenging, but we are here to support you find the best evidence-based care. In addition to our clinical services, we recommend that you consider some of the national charities that offer resources and support for people living with these conditions. Some examples of these charities include:

• Versus Arthritis
• The Royal Osteoporosis Society
• Lupus UK
• Vasculitis UK