Rheumatology

Symptoms of rheumatologic diseases such as arthritis can be both painful and limiting for the individual. At Capio Privathospital, we offer quick access to assessment and treatment by experienced rheumatologists who will manage your symptoms and help you towards an everyday life with less pain and greater mobility.

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Rheumatology is the medical approach to disorders of the musculoskeletal system, which includes the entire skeleton with associated muscles, tendons, joints, joint capsules, etc. At Capio Privathospital, our specialized rheumatologists examine and treat connective tissue diseases, rheumatic diseases and repetitive strain injuries from work or sports.

With us, you always get a thorough assessment

It is important to us that you feel in safe hands. That's why you can rest assured that you will receive a thorough assessment of your symptoms. Our rheumatologists will ask you about your medical history and perform a thorough examination, especially of your joint and muscle mobility, and in some cases we also perform an MRI scan as an additional examination. You will often have to attend several consultations with the rheumatologist, as in many cases the test results need to be included in the assessment on an ongoing basis.

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Rheumatology treatments at Capio

Blockade

If you have overloaded joints or tendons, an ultrasound-guided blockade can help, either on its own or as a supplement to exercise therapy. A blockade is an injection into a joint, around a tendon or at a ligament. The medication is a mixture of adrenal cortex hormone and local anesthetic. The blockade works by suppressing the active irritation, which can reduce pain and swelling. Sometimes a blockade can resolve the condition completely, and other times the blockade will be repeated at approximately eight-week intervals.

It is common to experience a worsening of symptoms after a blockage. The worsening usually subsides after one to two days. You can take some mild painkillers to alleviate the symptoms. In areas where there is already thin skin, blockades can cause permanent thinning of the subcutaneous tissue and permanent pigment changes in the area. Our rheumatologists will guide you thoroughly before applying the blockade.

Joint diseases - Rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory disease. This means that the disease is caused by an immune reaction in your body that will result in swollen joints, as well as fatigue and stiffness in the morning. The cause of RA is not known, but heredity and smoking have an impact on developing the disease. Similarly, lifestyle can affect the disease both positively and negatively, with exercise and diet making a big difference.

There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but medical treatment is very effective for many people. In addition to medical treatment, other options include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, hot water therapy and possibly surgery.

Psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune rheumatic disease that causes inflammation in the body's joints. In psoriatic arthritis, the spine can also be affected. The disease affects around 30 percent of people with psoriasis. Symptoms of the disease often appear in the toes and the middle and outer finger joints, but in principle, all tendons and joints can be affected. The patient will often experience swelling, tenderness, reduced mobility and pain.

Our rheumatologists can help you find the right treatment, which will often involve arthritis medication, blockades and painkillers, as well as physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

Joint diseases - Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, or osteoarthritis, is a disease that causes the cartilage and tissue around the affected joint to gradually break down. The patient will often experience pain and possibly stiffness in the joint.

A rheumatologist at Capio Private Hospital can help you find the right treatment, which will often include exercise, blockades and arthritis medication. In some cases, the joint, such as the hip joint, will be so worn that surgery may be required. In this case, you will be referred to a specialized orthopaedic surgeon.

Joint diseases - Investigation for gout (Podagra)

If there are elevated levels of uric acid in the blood, it can be converted into uric acid crystals that are deposited in the cartilage around a joint. This will cause inflammation and acute flare-ups where the joint swells and turns red. The condition is very painful. Elevated levels of uric acid in the blood are often caused by dysfunctional kidneys and are slightly more common in men than women.

There are good treatment options with medication and lifestyle changes. Our rheumatologists can help you with an assessment of the disease and will then refer you for treatment.

Back disorders - Herniated disc

Between each vertebrae in the spine lies a cartilage disc - a so-called discus. This disc consists of a hard shell and a soft core. If the hard shell is damaged, either by overuse or as a consequence of aging and genetic predisposition, part of the soft core can leak out and cause pressure on the nerves of the spine. This is called a herniated disc and will cause pain.

Herniated discs are named according to their location in the back - in the neck, thoracic spine or lumbar spine. You will often be offered an MRI scan as part of the initial investigations to detect the prolapse.

Our rheumatologists can help you with non-operative treatment of your herniated disc. Treatment will often consist of exercise, painkillers and possibly blockades. If surgery is deemed necessary, you will be referred to an orthopaedic surgeon.

Back pain - Sciatica

The sciatic nerve is the name of a large nerve bundle that runs from the lower back down to the leg. The nerve is composed of several nerves that come from the lower part of the spinal canal. When the nerve or part of it is pinched or affected by external pressure, it can cause pain that radiates down the leg. This is why sciatic pain is often used to describe pain that radiates from the buttocks down the leg. Depending on how the pain is distributed in the leg, you can determine which part of the nerve is affected.

By far the most common cause of sciatica pain is a herniated disc in the lower back. In rarer cases, the nerve can also be affected by some of the muscles that lie close to it inside the small pelvis, i.e. in front of the sacrum.

Our rheumatologists will treat you with a mix of exercise, pain medication and blockades. Often you will be referred to a physiotherapist as part of your treatment.

Back disorders - Low back pain / acute low back pain

Acute low back pain is most common in people in their 30s and 50s. Sudden pain in the lower back occurs, most often in connection with heavy lifting, rapid twisting of the body or in forward-bending postures. The pain is intense and localized across the lower back and possibly in the seat region, but without radiating to the legs, as is characteristic of sciatica pain.

In most cases, acute lumbar strain resolves spontaneously within a week and leaves no lasting back pain. Treatment in the acute phase includes painkillers and heat treatment for sore lower back muscles (heating pad). Sometimes bed rest is required for a few days. Our rheumatologists can help you with lumbar manipulation and blockade therapy, which can often shorten the painful period.

Local pain conditions - Tennis elbow

Tennis elbow causes pain in the area around the outside of the elbow. The condition usually resolves on its own without treatment, but if more than three months have passed, you may benefit from further treatment.

Static movements are known to be a trigger, including certain postures and sports activities. The pain is most likely caused by small tears in the connective tissue that holds the muscles in the elbow to the bone. In most cases, the inflammation occurs as a result of overloading the tissue around the elbow.

Treatment of elbow pain
First and foremost, the elbow requires rest and a break from the activity that has triggered the discomfort. Under the guidance of a physiotherapist, the first treatment option is eccentric training with heavy weights. Other treatments that can be effective are acupuncture, shockwave therapy, etc. The rheumatologist will often suggest treatment with anti-inflammatory medication and injections of adrenal cortex hormone (a blockade).

Local pain conditions - Frozen shoulder

A frozen shoulder is a connective tissue disorder of the shoulder joint capsule and its surroundings that typically occurs between the ages of 40-60 and is somewhat more common in women than men. The two main symptoms are reduced mobility and pain. A frozen shoulder can be treated by a rheumatologist and/or orthopaedic surgeon. In many cases, you will first be seen by a rheumatologist and then be referred for assessment and treatment by an orthopaedic surgeon if treatment has not been sufficient. Either way, it's important to get treatment started quickly.

Treatment of pain
Treatment consists primarily of relieving the patient's pain, e.g. with painkillers or magnyl-like substances. Adrenal cortex hormone injected into the shoulder joint (a blockade) often provides significant relief. In the acute phase, i.e. the first 2-3 months, it is important to protect the arm. Therefore, exercises as a treatment will mostly worsen the condition. Much later in the process, exercise therapy may be given. Pain relief can also be achieved with ultrasound or ice packs. In up to 10% of cases, surgical treatment with a scope is offered. In conjunction with the binocular examination, the shrunken joint capsule is loosened. This immediately restores mobility.

Local pain conditions - Runner's knee

Runner's knee is an overuse injury on the outside of the knee where a bursa and tendon sheath become irritated, causing pain. The condition is very common in long-distance runners and cyclists. To reduce the chafing and irritation, it may be necessary to change training regimes, footwear and training surfaces. In rare chronic cases, surgery may be required to split the tendon sheath to create more space.

Often painkillers can soothe the irritation. In some cases, ultrasound-guided injection of adrenal cortex hormone into the bursa can be effective. Our rheumatologists will help you find the right treatment.

Local pain conditions - Tendonitis

The tendon sheaths contain the tendons of the fingers and wrists, which run from the muscles in the forearm to the bone where they attach. The tendons are surrounded by so-called gliding tissue, which can become irritated if overloaded. You will often experience pain when using your hand, as well as swelling and tenderness when pressing on the inflamed tendon.

If you have inflammation of the tendon sheaths, it is important to keep your hand still. For example, it may be a good idea to wear a splint on the wrist for a period of time to relieve pressure on the joint. With relief, the condition will usually resolve itself, but it can flare up again at a later date.

In cases of recurrence or persistent soreness and pain, surgery may be necessary.

Local pain conditions - Achilles tendon injuries

Achilles tendon injuries can be caused by a sudden injury where the tendon ruptures completely or partially. In these cases, it's important to see a doctor as soon as possible. The doctor will often perform an ultrasound scan to assess the extent of the injury.

In other cases, pain from the Achilles tendon can be caused by an overload, which is why rest is often effective. Alternatively, splint and brace treatment is an option for multiple Achilles tendon issues. Our rheumatologists will help you with the right treatment, where blockades (treatment with adrenal cortex hormone and painkillers), exercises and possibly arthritis medication in the acute phase can be helpful. In rare cases, surgery may be necessary. In these cases, you will be referred to an orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in ankle and foot surgery.

Trustpilot

Back surgery at Capio

I had lower back surgery at Capio Hellerup over a year ago. I have been incredibly happy with the treatment I received during my hospitalization by both doctors and nurses and the follow-ups they gave me. Huge praise from here.

Hip replacement surgery

I had surgery on Wednesday, December 13th at Capio Aalborg and despite the circumstances, I had a good stay where I got answers to all my questions. I met a staff with great competence and empathy, so I can only give my best recommendations.
Thank you very much for everything.

Thanks to Capio

Thank you to Capio for super good and very competent treatment. They made me feel safe, super skilled at explaining themselves so I could also understand it. A doctor I will never forget, sweet, smiling and with a great sense of humor just to my taste 🤩🥰

Incredibly friendly staff

Incredibly friendly staff. Quickly got an appointment for an examination and then an appointment for surgery. Definitely recommend Capio Odense to others who want to make use of their health insurance. Definitely 5 stars from here.