- Reduce joint/ muscle/ tendon related pain, stiffness and/ or swelling
- Improve your movement and strength
- Prevention of longer term problems related to your condition
- Depending on your needs, advice to improve your walking and balance along with walking aids provision
Rheumatology Physiotherapy
The Specialist Rheumatology Physiotherapy Team are part of the multidisciplinary team that work together to care for people with Inflammatory Arthritis and Connective Tissue conditions. We aim to support and enable you to manage your condition.
The Role of the Rheumatology Physiotherapist is to work with you to
How are patients referred to the team?
Referrals are from a range of sources including Rheumatology, medical and nursing clinics, Rheumatology advice line, GPs and other therapy colleagues. We also offer self-referrals to those who have already been seen by Rheumatology. We also offer self referrals to those who are under the Rheumatology service for Inflammatory Arthritis.
What should I expect from my appointments?
Rheumatology Physiotherapy Outpatients are based at Perth Royal Infirmary, Kings Cross Community Health and Community Care Centre in Dundee, Arbroath Infirmary and Stracathro Hospital in Brechin. The initial appointment may last up to 60 minutes depending on your requirements and can be in person, telephone or Video consultation by NHS Near Me if appropriate. Follow-up appointments, if required, may last up to 30 minutes and will be arranged at a suitable date and time for you.
The Physiotherapist will take a past and present medical history, ask about your current medication and any investigations you may of had. They will ask you questions about the problems you are having and how they are affecting you on a day to day basis. They will also do an assessment which may involve undressing to show the area of your body involved.
The Physiotherapist will discuss a treatment plan with you on this assessment. They may also suggest a referral to other health professionals for advice and treatment, such as Podiatry and Occupational Therapy, or investigations as required. Some of our Physiotherapists are able to do joint injections, if this is required, to manage your symptoms.
The Physiotherapist will take a past and present medical history, ask about your current medication and any investigations you may of had. They will ask you questions about the problems you are having and how they are affecting you on a day to day basis. They will also do an assessment which may involve undressing to show the area of your body involved.
The Physiotherapist will discuss a treatment plan with you on this assessment. They may also suggest a referral to other health professionals for advice and treatment, such as Podiatry and Occupational Therapy, or investigations as required. Some of our Physiotherapists are able to do joint injections, if this is required, to manage your symptoms.
What can a Specialist Rheumatology Physiotherapist offer?
The Physiotherapist will offer advice and education with regards to the following:-
At initial diagnosis or during flare ups, joints can have swelling, stiffness and pain. This can be the case for lots of Rheumatological conditions from one day to three weeks or more. General management during a flare up is gentle stretches and exercise, using heat or ice as appropriate and keeping moving. Reduce the load on an affected area, if possible by using the joints less or adapting how you carry out everyday tasks. Breaking up activities into smaller chunks can also be of help or asking others to help you with heavier tasks.
- Pain, stiffness and swelling management
- Exercise advice for movement and strength
- Flare management
At initial diagnosis or during flare ups, joints can have swelling, stiffness and pain. This can be the case for lots of Rheumatological conditions from one day to three weeks or more. General management during a flare up is gentle stretches and exercise, using heat or ice as appropriate and keeping moving. Reduce the load on an affected area, if possible by using the joints less or adapting how you carry out everyday tasks. Breaking up activities into smaller chunks can also be of help or asking others to help you with heavier tasks.