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Rheumatology

Hillingdon Hospital: Rheumatology
Telephone number: 01895 279682
Fax number: 01895 279642
Helpline: 01895 279687 (with answering phone)

Rehabilitation

The Rheumatology Department is based at the Hillingdon Hospital site. The specialist team provides patient clinics, consultations and treatment for all rheumatology patients. With extensive training and experience, the team supports patients of all ages.

Our multidisciplinary team see a wide range of conditions. Common diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are managed as well as rare conditions such as systemic sclerosis. We offer individual out-patient consultations and give advice to our colleagues who may have in-patients who require a rheumatology opinion.

We are integrated with other departments (physiotherapy, occupational therapy and radiology) to give our patients the benefit of a full range of services. Diagnostic and therapeutic intra-articular and soft tissue injections and aspirations are performed in out-patients. We received great feedback from our patients in an audit to assess patient satisfaction whilst attending the rheumatology outpatient clinic at Hillingdon Hospital. 98% rated their experience as good or excellent in doctor led clinics.

arrow See the detailed: Audit of Patient Satisfaction in the Rheumatology Department at Hillingdon Hospital (Patient Audit 624KB, pdf)

About Arthritis

Osteo-arthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is characterized by the general breakdown of the joint cartilage over time. This causes inflammation and pain in the joint in question, symptoms often increasing when affected joints are used. The symptoms can be treated with anti-inflammatories.

Rheumatoid arthritis is more systemic, with painful swelling in all or most joints at once. As the joints are used throughout the day, the symptoms decrease as joints 'warm up'.

Loss of muscle mass and mobility can be associated with arthritis, in which case physiotherapy, particularly the manipulation of the limbs, can be used to retain or regain range of motion.

Patient Instructions:

  1. Please bring a list of all medication with you (prescribed and unprescribed)
  2. You may be asked to provide a urine sample.
  3. You may have a physical examination where you may be asked to undress.
  4. Advise you GP if you require an interpreter.

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