Our Rheumatology specialist outpatient clinic at Woodlands Hospital provides comprehensive care for patients with a wide range of musculoskeletal and autoimmune conditions. Patients are supported by our experienced rheumatologists, pharmacists and specialty nurses trained in rheumatology. 

In addition to our general Rheumatology clinic, we offer pharmacist-led Gout Clinic, nurse-led support and specialised services to provide holistic, patient-centred care.

Pharmacist-Led Gout Clinic

Our pharmacist-led gout clinic provides dedicated care for patients with gout, with close monitoring of urate-lowering therapy and titration of gout medication. Blood tests may be arranged conveniently, and our pharmacists work closely with rheumatologists to ensure patients achieve and maintain their treatment targets.

Rheumatology Nurse-Led Support Service

Our specialty nurses trained in Rheumatology provide counselling and support for individuals with rheumatological and allergic conditions, helping them better understand and manage their conditions. For selected conditions, our nurses provide additional support through a helpline service.

Specialised Services

• Joint Aspiration and Injection
  
  Our rheumatologists are experienced in carrying out joint aspiration and injection procedures across a range of joints. When a joint is swollen, removing excess fluid can help identify the underlying cause and provide relief from discomfort. Where appropriate, steroid and local anaesthetic medications may be administered into the joint or surrounding soft tissue to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. In many cases, these procedures can be carried out on the same day as your Rheumatology consultation, as part of your overall assessment and treatment plan.
   

• Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
  
  Our rheumatologists provide musculoskeletal ultrasound service to aid in the diagnosis of various conditions including inflammatory arthritis, crystal arthritis and osteoarthritis. Ultrasound-guided joint aspiration and injection may be performed for joints that are less easily accessed through standard procedures.

Our Allergy clinic offers thorough assessment and personalised management of allergies related to environmental triggers such as dust mites and pollen, as well as medications and food.

Before any allergy testing is conducted, a detailed clinical history is obtained to ensure that the appropriate investigations are recommended based on each individual's symptoms. Depending on the suspected allergen and the individual's condition, testing options may include skin tests such as skin prick tests and intradermal tests, blood tests, and/or provocation (challenge) tests.

Our Allergy clinic is supported by doctors and specialty nurses trained in Allergy. Our specialty nurses provide counselling and support for individuals with allergic conditions, helping them better understand and manage their conditions. For selected conditions, our nurses provide additional support through a helpline service.

Conditions managed by Woodlands Hospital Rheumatology service include the following:

• Inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritides e.g. ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriatic arthritis

• Connective tissue diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, sjogren’s disease, vasculitis, and inflammatory myositis

• Other autoimmune diseases such as IgG4-related disease, sarcoidosis, still’s disease

• Osteoporosis

• Crystal induced arthropathy e.g. gout, pseudogout

• Degenerative joint diseases e.g. osteoarthritis

• Soft tissue rheumatism e.g. tendinitis, fibromyalgia
   

Rheumatology

What is Rheumatology?

Rheumatology is a specialised field of medicine dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of systemic autoimmune diseases and specific musculoskeletal conditions. Autoimmune diseases occur when the body's immune system mistakenly targets its own tissues instead of defending against infection. Rheumatologists are physicians with specialist training in managing these complex conditions.

What symptoms should I see a rheumatologist for?

Symptoms that may warrant a rheumatology review include joint pain and swelling associated with stiffness that is worse in the morning, unexplained skin rashes, or episodes of recurring fever. These symptoms may develop gradually over weeks to months.

What tests are performed during a Rheumatology consultation?

Your rheumatologist will begin with a comprehensive clinical assessment, which includes a detailed history and physical examination. Additional investigations will be guided by your clinical presentation and may include blood tests, imaging such as X-rays or musculoskeletal ultrasound, and joint aspiration where indicated. Your rheumatologist will walk you through the recommended investigations and explain the rationale for each after the assessment.

Allergy

What symptoms suggest allergy?

Symptoms of allergy typically arise shortly after consuming the trigger food or medication, often within minutes to a couple of hours. These may include hives, itching, or swelling of the eyes, lips, or limbs. In more serious cases, individuals may experience difficulty breathing, or a drop in blood pressure. It is important to note that certain non-allergic conditions such as lactose intolerance, can present in ways that resemble allergic reactions. Your doctor will assess you and advise whether allergy testing is appropriate for you.

Can a blood test detect what allergies I have?

Allergy testing is personalised to each individual's symptoms and clinical presentation. It is important to note that not all allergies can be detected through blood tests. Available testing options include skin tests, blood tests, and/or provocation (challenge) tests, and the most appropriate approach will depend on the suspected allergen and your clinical history. Our allergy doctors will take a thorough history of your symptoms before recommending the most suitable investigations, if required. In some instances, a provocation (challenge) test - where the suspected food or medication is re-introduced under close medical supervision - may be necessary to reach a definitive diagnosis.

Can allergies be cured?

Currently, there is no definitive cure for most allergies. However, our understanding of allergy treatment continues to advance. In carefully selected cases, immunotherapy may be recommended. This is a treatment approach aimed at helping individuals build tolerance to the substance they are allergic to, and may involve a prolonged course of treatment lasting up to five years, depending on the nature and type of the allergy.