A-Z of Services
Early arthritis service
- Service Contact: ch-tr.specialistmedicine1@nhs.net
- Address: Croydon University Hospital 530 London Road, Croydon, CR7 7YE
- Reception phone number: 020 8401 3010 / 3343 / 020 8401 3973 option 1 Rheumatology
Early arthritis services
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Rapid diagnosis and early treatment of inflammatory arthritis is known to increase likelihood of remission, reduce rates of joint damage and give a good quality of life.
Croydon Health Services has developed a dedicated early arthritis service to speed up assessment and treatment of these conditions.
Clinics
Consultant-led early arthritis clinics are available at Croydon University Hospital and Purley War Memorial Hospital.
A comprehensive ultrasound scan of the hands, wrists and feet is performed with the aim to speed up diagnosis of patients with symptoms of inflammatory arthritis and treat within six weeks of referral.
For patients presenting with more than two swollen joints and had their symptoms for less than a year, the service aims to review within three weeks of referral to catch arthritis early.
We diagnose and treat within six weeks of referral as per the National Quality Standards (NQS) set by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the British Society of Rheumatology.
How to refer
Criteria
Both required
1. Persistent joint inflammation
≥ 6 weeks and < 1 year in 2 or more joints
Tenderness over the joint line
Joint swelling
Painful limited RoM
2. Morning Stiffness ≥ 30 minutes
At least one required
- MCP and / or MTP positive squeeze test
- Positive RhF (or Anti-CCP)
- Raised inflammatory markers (ESR or CRP)
Refer via e-Referrals.
More information about e-Referrals is available here
Contact information
Rheumatology
Croydon University Hospital
530 London Road
Croydon
CR7 7YE
020 8401 3973 option 1 Rheumatology
Email: CH-TR.rheumatology@nhs.net