Joint pain impacting your life? Perhaps it’s making it difficult to stomp about the City as usual or impacting your ability to work properly. Around 1 in 3 people in the UK have a musculoskeletal skeletal condition according to the Versus Arthritis 2023 health report which looks at musculoskeletal health in the UK. Musculoskeletal conditions can lead to not only a reduction in movement and dexterity, but loss of independence and are known to have a considerable negative impact on quality of life. If you are experiencing joint pain that hasn’t gone away after two weeks of rest and care at home, you may want to get advice from a private rheumatologist.
What does a rheumatologist do?
A rheumatologist is a type of doctor who specialises in diagnosing and treating issues with muscles, joints, and bones. They assess and treat the underlying chronic inflammatory conditions that cause symptoms like joint pain. Some of the most commonly treated inflammatory conditions a rheumatologist treats include:
They also diagnose and treat acute injuries and osteoarthritis (wear and tear of the joints) to name a few.
A rheumatologist will review your entire medical history and family history. They will usually complete a physical examination and ask you to have blood tests and X-rays (if you’ve not already had them). These will give them a good understanding of your complaint(s) and a detailed picture of the affected joint(s). They will also indicate whether any further testing like an MRI or ultrasound is required. Getting a quick and accurate diagnosis is vitally important for inflammatory diseases as many are degenerative – they will get worse and lead to disability if left untreated.
What are the signs of inflammatory joint conditions?
Inflammatory joint conditions may present with some (or all) of the following symptoms:
When to see a private rheumatologist
There are some instances where it may make sense for you to see a private rheumatologist instead of your GP. Here are a few examples:
Convenience is important to you
If you are looking for a private rheumatologist in London you will be spoilt for choice. London is home to some of the finest healthcare specialists in the UK. Many clinics are able to offer telephone and video consultations, and also offer appointments at more convenient hours, outside of what you may be able to access through public healthcare.
If you feel like you’ve hit a dead end with your GP
Some people feel like they have hit a wall with their GP and feel frustrated. If you are one of these people then seeking advice from a private rheumatologist may be a good option for you. They can review your medical history and symptoms in detail and provide an accurate diagnosis.
You want to get back to full health as quickly as possible to regain quality of life
If you are a person who leads an active lifestyle it’s likely you’ll be very keen to get treated and back to full health as quickly as possible. Unlike the NHS, where it can take months (sometimes more than a year) to be seen by a rheumatologist, private rheumatologists will often be able to see you within 1-2 weeks. Not only this, but they will usually be able to arrange for any further testing to be completed within the space of a week. This makes the whole treatment process faster and enables you to get on the road to recovery much sooner. Private rheumatologists will also have connections with other trusted professionals such as physiotherapists, who will have similar availability.
Getting help for joint pain
If you have joint pain that is making it a challenge for you to complete normal daily activities and is disrupting your life then you should make an appointment with a healthcare professional to get a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
