Rheumatology

Rheumatology at SilverOak Health specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions affecting the joints, muscles, bones, and connective tissues. Our consultant rheumatologists manage the full range of inflammatory arthropathies, systemic autoimmune diseases, crystal arthropathies, and musculoskeletal conditions, providing expertise that complements primary care, orthopaedic surgery, and internal medicine in the management of complex multisystem inflammatory disease.

Conditions treated include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and axial spondyloarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren's syndrome, myositis, systemic sclerosis, vasculitis, antiphospholipid syndrome, gout, pseudogout, reactive arthritis, and adult-onset Still's disease. Early and accurate diagnosis is critical to prevent irreversible joint damage — our rapid access clinic provides urgent assessment within two weeks for suspected inflammatory arthritis.

Treatment protocols follow NICE and international guidelines, utilising conventional DMARDs (methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, leflunomide, sulfasalazine) as first-line therapy and biologic and targeted synthetic DMARDs (anti-TNF, anti-IL-6, anti-IL-17, JAK inhibitors) for patients with inadequate responses. Our biologic therapy clinic monitors treatment safety and efficacy, with dedicated nurse specialists providing patient education, injection training, and telephone support. Ultrasound-guided joint aspiration and injection, bone density assessment, and multidisciplinary management with physiotherapy and occupational therapy complete our rheumatology service.