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 involves a general breakdown of joint cartilage over time. This causes inflammation and joint pain, which is treatable with anti-inflammatories.

Rheumatoid arthritis is more systemic - a painful swelling in all or most joints at once.

Our rheumatology services include:
  • an outpatient service at Tauranga Hospital and Whakatāne Hospital
  • a paediatric rheumatology clinic at Tauranga Hospital.
  • some inpatient care of rheumatology patients who are admitted under general medicine.

 

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