We treat a wide variety of autoimmune diseases that result in inflammation in your body . This occurs when your immune system attacks your own body instead of defending your body. Treatment typically involves the use of medicines that target the immune system to stop it from attacking itself. Other management options include physiotherapy, hand therapy, occupational therapy, dietry advice and lifestyle changes.  At times a joint injection or a nerve block may be required. 

 

Left untreated , such disorders can cause severe joint deformity or organ damage.

 

We also specialise in differentiating inflammatory conditions from mechanical disorders such as osteoarthritis or sporting injuries.

 

Diagnosis of rheumatic diseases requires detailed history taking, physical examination and often sophisticated radiology imaging, such as, ultrasound (US) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

 

Ultrasound is safe and free from ionising radiation. It has a much lower cost than other imaging modalities such as CT or MRI. It  is an excellent tool to allow accurate and safe diagnostic aspirations and injections. Ultrasound is now well proven in the diagnosis and management in a wide variety of rheumatological conditions.

 

The following is a list of just some of the conditions that we treat.

 

•  Inflammatory arthritis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Psoriatic arthritis
  • Ankylosing spondylitis
• Crystal arthropathies
  • Gout
  • Chondrocalcinosis
• Vasculitis
• Inflammatory myositis
• Polymyalgia rheumatica

• Connective tissue disease

  • Lupus
  • Systemic sclerosis
  • Sjogren's syndrome
  • Undifferentiated connective tissue disease

• Osteoarthritis

• Other autoimmune conditions

 

 

 

Please visit the Australian Rheumatology Association website for further information on conditions and medications.