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Rheumatology guides
22 plain-English, evidence-linked guides in Rheumatology, with clinical review status shown on each page.
Ankylosing spondylitis / axial SpA treatment and management (Management of ankylosing spondylitis (axial spondyloarthritis))The ongoing, specialist-led plan to control ankylosing spondylitis (axial spondyloarthritis), ease back and joint pain and stiffness, and keep the spine mobile, using exercise, medicines and support.Biologic drip service (infused biologic medicines) (Intravenous biologic (and biosimilar) infusion service)A monitored service that gives biologic medicines through a drip into a vein, to calm an overactive immune system in inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.Bone-strengthening drip (IV bisphosphonate) (Intravenous bisphosphonate infusion (zoledronic acid / zoledronate))A once-a-year drip of a bone-strengthening medicine, used to lower the chance of broken bones in people with thinning bones (osteoporosis).Connective tissue disease assessment (Connective tissue disease assessment (including autoantibody testing))A specialist assessment, usually including blood tests for autoantibodies, to look for autoimmune connective tissue diseases such as lupus or scleroderma when symptoms suggest them.Diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound (Diagnostic musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound)A usually not painful scan using sound waves to look at joints, tendons and soft tissues, often to check for inflammation or to help diagnose arthritis.Disease-modifying drugs (DMARDs) (Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs))Medicines that calm an overactive immune system to slow inflammatory joint disease and protect joints, taken long-term with regular blood-test monitoring.Fibromyalgia treatment (Fibromyalgia management)Long-term management of fibromyalgia, a condition causing widespread pain, fatigue and poor sleep, focusing on activity, therapies and selective medicines rather than a cure.Giant cell arteritis treatment (Giant cell arteritis (temporal arteritis) management)Urgent treatment of giant cell arteritis, an inflammation of the arteries around the head, started quickly with steroids to protect your sight.Gout treatment (Gout management (urate-lowering therapy))Treatment to settle painful gout attacks and, over time, lower the uric acid in your blood so the attacks stop coming back.Hypermobility assessment (Joint hypermobility and hypermobility spectrum disorder assessment)A clinical assessment to work out whether very flexible joints are causing symptoms, and whether they fit a hypermobility spectrum disorder or hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.Joint aspiration (Joint aspiration (arthrocentesis))A quick procedure using a needle and syringe to draw fluid from a swollen joint, to help diagnose the cause or to relieve pressure.Lupus (SLE) treatment (Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) management)Long-term treatment to calm the overactive immune system in lupus, ease symptoms, prevent flares and protect organs such as the kidneys.Osteoarthritis treatment (Osteoarthritis management)Long-term management of osteoarthritis, the common joint condition causing pain and stiffness, built around exercise, weight and selective pain relief rather than a cure.Polymyalgia rheumatica treatment (Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) management)Treatment, usually with a gradually reducing course of steroid tablets, to relieve the shoulder and hip stiffness of polymyalgia rheumatica while watching for the linked condition giant cell arteritis.Psoriatic arthritis treatment and management (Management of psoriatic arthritis)The ongoing, specialist-led plan to control psoriatic arthritis, ease joint, skin and tendon symptoms and protect joints, using medicines, monitoring and support.Rheumatoid arthritis treatment and management (Management of rheumatoid arthritis)The ongoing, specialist-led plan to control rheumatoid arthritis, ease symptoms and protect joints using medicines, monitoring and support, rather than a one-off treatment.Rheumatology consultation (Rheumatology consultation (specialist assessment))A specialist appointment to assess joint, muscle, bone or autoimmune symptoms, work towards a diagnosis, and agree a plan.Scleroderma treatment (Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) management)Long-term, specialist-led treatment to ease the symptoms of scleroderma, slow the disease where possible, and watch closely for and treat involvement of organs such as the lungs, heart and kidneys.Sjögren's syndrome treatment (Sjögren's disease (Sjögren's syndrome) management)Long-term treatment to relieve the dryness and other symptoms of Sjögren's syndrome and to protect the eyes, mouth and, where affected, other parts of the body.Steroid joint injection (Intra-articular and soft tissue corticosteroid injection)An injection of anti-inflammatory steroid into or around a painful joint or soft tissue to ease pain and swelling for a period of time.Tendinopathy assessment and injection (Tendinopathy assessment and corticosteroid injection)An assessment of a painful tendon, and where appropriate an injection (often a steroid) to ease pain, usually alongside an exercise programme rather than instead of it.Vasculitis treatment (Vasculitis management)Specialist-led treatment to switch off the inflammation of blood vessels in vasculitis, protect organs, and then keep the condition under control over the long term.
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