The St Vincent’s Clinic Department of Rheumatology provides a full range of diagnostic and management services.

Rheumatology is a medical speciality encompassing the full range of rheumatic disorders including common diseases such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Less common diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and autoimmune conditions such as lupus and scleroderma are also included.

The Rheumatology Department at St Vincent’s Private Hospital and Clinic include highly trained specialists who meet the challenges in diagnosis and management of these disorders.

Members of the Department also have an interest in ongoing chronic pain syndromes, spinal pain disorders and osteoporosis. In addition to providing clinical service they are also engaged in teaching and research in some of the rheumatic disorders and therapeutic clinical trials.

The rheumatologists frequently liaise with orthopaedic and neurosurgical colleagues and arrange case conferences for patients who present a challenge in management.

The Department also works closely with allied health professionals such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists and podiatrists.

The Rheumatology Department over the years has conducted clinical trials of new therapies in rheumatoid arthritis and particularly in gout with collaboration of Professor Ric Day who is also Director of Clinical Pharmacology.

Patients who wish to consult any member of the Rheumatology Department require a referral from their general practitioner.