Rheumatology

Rheumatology services

Rheumatology is a medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in the joints such as rheumatoid arthritis, and autoimmune connective tissue diseases like lupus.

Rheumatology divides cases of arthritis into osteo-arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.  Osteo-arthritis is characterised by the general breakdown of the joint cartilage over time.  This causes inflammation and pain in the join in question which is treatable with anti-inflammatories.  Rheumatoid arthritis is more systemic, a painful swelling in all or most joints at once.

Rheumatology services we provide:

• An outpatient-based service at Tauranga and Whakatāne Hospitals.
• A Paediatric rheumatology clinic at Tauranga Hospital.
• Some inpatient care of rheumatology patients who are admitted under general medicine.

Related information/resources

• arthritis.org.nz Arthritis New Zealand