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