The Rheumatology Services at Nottingham Road Clinic provide specialist assessment and management of conditions affecting the joints, muscles, connective tissues and immune system. Rheumatological diseases are often complex, long-term and multisystem in nature, with symptoms that can fluctuate over time and significantly affect physical function, wellbeing and quality of life if not accurately diagnosed and appropriately managed.
Inflammatory and autoimmune rheumatic conditions commonly present with joint pain, stiffness, swelling, fatigue and systemic symptoms. In many cases, early features can be subtle or non-specific, leading to delays in diagnosis in non-specialist settings. However, timely specialist input is critical, as early recognition and treatment can reduce disease progression, limit irreversible joint damage and improve long-term outcomes.
The service is consultant rheumatologist led and provides structured, evidence-based assessment aligned with UK clinical guidelines. Care is centred on careful history taking, detailed musculoskeletal and systemic examination, targeted investigation and individualised management planning. Where appropriate, care is delivered within a multidisciplinary framework, recognising the interaction between inflammatory disease, pain, physical function, mental health and wider medical comorbidity.
Rheumatology Services at Nottingham Road Clinic are delivered in a specialist outpatient setting, with access to diagnostic imaging, pathology and onward referral to allied specialties or NHS services when required.
The Rheumatology Services at Nottingham Road Clinic provide specialist assessment and management of conditions affecting the joints, muscles, connective tissues and immune system. Rheumatological diseases are often complex, long-term and multisystem in nature, with symptoms that can fluctuate over time and significantly affect physical function, wellbeing and quality of life if not accurately diagnosed and appropriately managed.
Inflammatory and autoimmune rheumatic conditions commonly present with joint pain, stiffness, swelling, fatigue and systemic symptoms. In many cases, early features can be subtle or non-specific, leading to delays in diagnosis in non-specialist settings. However, timely specialist input is critical, as early recognition and treatment can reduce disease progression, limit irreversible joint damage and improve long-term outcomes.
The service is consultant rheumatologist led and provides structured, evidence-based assessment aligned with UK clinical guidelines. Care is centred on careful history taking, detailed musculoskeletal and systemic examination, targeted investigation and individualised management planning. Where appropriate, care is delivered within a multidisciplinary framework, recognising the interaction between inflammatory disease, pain, physical function, mental health and wider medical comorbidity.
Rheumatology Services at Nottingham Road Clinic are delivered in a specialist outpatient setting, with access to diagnostic imaging, pathology and onward referral to allied specialties or NHS services when required.
The service is suitable for adults with symptoms or diagnoses suggestive of inflammatory, autoimmune or complex musculoskeletal disease who require specialist rheumatological assessment.
Common patient groups include individuals with persistent joint pain and stiffness, particularly where symptoms are worse in the morning or associated with swelling, fatigue or functional limitation. Patients with unexplained inflammatory markers, abnormal autoimmune blood tests or recurrent episodes of joint inflammation are also appropriate for referral.
Specialist input is recommended where symptoms persist despite initial management in primary care, where there is diagnostic uncertainty, or where early differentiation between inflammatory arthritis, connective tissue disease and non-inflammatory causes is required. Patients with known rheumatological conditions may also be referred for confirmation of diagnosis, treatment optimisation, disease monitoring or second opinion.
The service supports both self-pay and insured patients. Referrers may include GPs, physiotherapists or other specialists seeking expert evaluation of musculoskeletal or systemic inflammatory presentations.
Rheumatology Services cover a broad spectrum of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, as well as complex pain and musculoskeletal syndromes.
Inflammatory arthritis
This includes rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and other inflammatory joint disorders. Patients may present with joint pain, swelling, stiffness lasting longer than one hour in the morning and progressive functional limitation. Early diagnosis is essential to prevent joint erosion and long-term disability.
Spondyloarthropathies
Conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis and related disorders may present with inflammatory back pain, stiffness, enthesitis and fatigue. Symptoms often begin at a younger age and may be associated with extra-articular features including psoriasis, uveitis or inflammatory bowel disease.
Connective tissue diseases
These include systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren’s syndrome, systemic sclerosis and related disorders. Presentations are often multisystem, with joint pain, rashes, oral or ocular dryness, Raynaud’s phenomenon and constitutional symptoms. Accurate assessment is essential due to potential organ involvement.
Crystal arthropathies
Gout and calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease can cause acute or recurrent inflammatory arthritis. Management involves confirmation of diagnosis, identification of risk factors and long-term strategies to prevent recurrence and joint damage.
Soft tissue and inflammatory pain syndromes
Conditions such as polymyalgia rheumatica and inflammatory tendon or bursal disorders may cause pain and stiffness affecting mobility and independence, particularly in older adults.
Associated concerns and red flags
Systemic symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, fevers, night sweats, rapidly progressive joint damage, neurological symptoms or evidence of organ involvement are assessed carefully, as they may indicate more severe disease or alternative diagnoses requiring urgent investigation.
Assessment begins with a comprehensive medical history focusing on symptom pattern, duration, inflammatory features, functional impact and associated systemic symptoms. Family history of autoimmune or inflammatory disease, medication history and relevant risk factors are reviewed in detail.
Physical examination includes detailed joint assessment, evaluation of range of movement, swelling and tenderness, as well as assessment of spine mobility, soft tissues and relevant extra-articular systems such as skin, eyes and cardiovascular status where indicated.
Diagnostic investigations are used selectively to support diagnosis and guide management. These may include inflammatory markers, autoimmune serology, metabolic screening and other pathology tests aligned with national guidance. Imaging such as ultrasound, X-ray or MRI may be used to assess joint inflammation, structural change or soft tissue involvement.
All diagnostic pathways reflect current UK standards of care, with investigations chosen to answer specific clinical questions rather than as routine screening.
Management is individualised and evidence based, guided by diagnosis, disease severity, patient preference and comorbidities. Treatment aims to control inflammation, reduce symptoms, preserve function and minimise long-term complications.
Medical management may include disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, biologic therapies where appropriate, corticosteroids for short-term disease control, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with appropriate safety monitoring. Decisions regarding escalation or modification of therapy are made following specialist review and in line with recognised treatment guidelines.
Non-pharmacological management forms an important part of care and may include physiotherapy, occupational therapy input, lifestyle modification and shared management of pain and fatigue. Regular review is undertaken to monitor disease activity, medication safety and treatment response.
Where necessary, referral for interventional procedures or specialist NHS services is facilitated, particularly for advanced therapies or multisystem disease.
Rheumatology Services work closely with other Nottingham Road Clinic specialties, including radiology, pain management, musculoskeletal services and physiotherapy. Collaboration supports comprehensive assessment and coordinated management of complex presentations.
Liaison with mental health services may be appropriate where chronic disease is associated with psychological distress, fatigue or reduced coping capacity. Close communication with primary care ensures shared care arrangements are clear and sustainable.
Where specialist interventions, biologic therapies or complex investigations are required, referral to NHS secondary or tertiary rheumatology services is supported, ensuring continuity of care across healthcare systems.
Appointments are structured to allow sufficient time for detailed discussion and examination. Patients are encouraged to bring relevant correspondence, investigation results and an up-to-date medication list.
During the consultation, symptoms are explored in detail, followed by a focused physical examination. Diagnostic findings and impressions are explained clearly, and where further tests are required, the rationale and next steps are discussed.
Patients receive a personalised management plan, with guidance on treatment options, monitoring and follow-up arrangements. Correspondence summarising the assessment and recommendations is shared with the referrer and GP.
Do rheumatological conditions always worsen over time?
Many conditions can be well controlled with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, reducing the risk of progression.
Why are blood tests sometimes normal despite symptoms?
Some rheumatological conditions are diagnosed clinically, as blood tests may not always reflect disease activity.
Is long-term treatment always required?
Treatment duration depends on the specific condition and response to therapy. Some patients require ongoing management, while others may need intermittent treatment.
Can rheumatological disease affect other organs?
Some autoimmune conditions can involve organs beyond the joints, which is why specialist assessment is important.
Are biologic therapies available privately?
Eligibility depends on diagnosis, disease severity and clinical indication. Options are discussed during consultation.
Will I need regular monitoring?
Most inflammatory conditions require monitoring to assess disease control and treatment safety.
To book an appointment or discuss which clinician you should see first:
Phone: 01623 624137
Location: Nottingham Road Clinic, 195 Nottingham Road Mansfield NG18 4AA
