CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Rheumatoid arthritis
A long-term condition that can be managed with the right treatments to reduce discomfort and minimise flare-ups
About
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in multiple joints in your body. The symptoms usually affect your hands, feet and wrists. It is important that rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed early so that effective treatment can be given as soon as possible.
Need to know
Symptoms may include:
- painful and swollen joints
- stiffness
- tiredness
Your consultant will speak to you about your symptoms, discuss your medical history and perform a physical examination of your affected joints. To confirm a diagnosis they may carry out blood tests or take an X-ray, CT scan or MRI scan of the affected joints.
Treatment options include:
- over-the-counter painkillers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
- steroids
- biologics, a new family of drugs specifically targeting molecules important in inflammation
- in severe cases, surgery may be recommended; procedures include hip, knee and ankle replacements
Our locations
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.