What is Rheumatology?
Rheumatology covers over 200 conditions affecting joints, bones, muscles, and the immune system — including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, and vasculitis. India's rheumatology specialists offer the full range of biologic and DMARD therapies at 70–80% lower cost than the UK.
Types of Rheumatology
Inflammatory Arthritis
Management of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.
Connective Tissue Diseases
Treatment of SLE, Sjögren's syndrome, and myositis.
Crystal Arthropathies
Diagnosis and management of gout and calcium pyrophosphate disease.
Vasculitis
Treatment of blood vessel inflammation including giant cell arteritis and ANCA vasculitis.
Types of Rheumatology Treatments
DMARDs
Disease-modifying drugs like methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine slow disease progression.
Biologic Therapy
Targeted biologics (TNF inhibitors, IL-6 blockers, JAK inhibitors) for refractory disease.
Corticosteroids
Used for rapid disease control during flares; minimised for long-term use.
Joint Injections
Corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections for local joint inflammation and pain.
Possible Causes
- Autoimmune Dysfunction: The immune system attacks joints and connective tissues causing chronic inflammation.
- Genetic Susceptibility: HLA gene variants increase risk for rheumatoid arthritis, AS, and lupus.
- Environmental Triggers: Smoking, infections, and hormonal changes can trigger autoimmune arthritis.
- Metabolic Factors: High uric acid from diet or kidney underexcretion causes gout attacks.
Conditions Treated
Common Procedures
Why is Rheumatology needed?
- Diagnose and manage rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory arthropathies
- Treat systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and connective tissue diseases
- Manage gout and crystal arthropathies
- Address ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis
- Prevent joint damage and disability through early intervention
When should you see a specialist?
- Joint pain, swelling, or stiffness lasting more than 6 weeks
- Morning stiffness lasting over 30 minutes
- Symmetrical joint swelling involving hands or feet
- Skin rashes alongside joint symptoms (may indicate lupus or psoriatic arthritis)
- Blood tests showing raised inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR, ANA, RF)
Precautions & Aftercare
- Do not stop biologic or DMARD therapy without medical advice — flares can be severe
- Get vaccinations (flu, pneumococcal, shingles) — immunosuppressants increase infection risk
- Avoid live vaccines while on immunosuppressive treatment
- Report any signs of infection immediately as immune system may be suppressed
- Protect joints during exercise — avoid high-impact activities during flares
- Attend regular blood monitoring while on methotrexate or other DMARDs
Why Choose medmaxcare for Rheumatology?
medmaxcare provides access to India's leading rheumatologists who prescribe the full range of biologics at a fraction of UK costs. Biologic medications alone can cost £10,000–£15,000 per year in the UK — in India, the same treatment is available at 70–80% less with equivalent clinical outcomes.
Save up to 70%
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World-class treatment at JCI-accredited hospitals. Dedicated UK care coordinator included.
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