Rheumatology (Arthritis and Joint Disorders)

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the joints. This causes inflammation that can gradually damage the joints, cartilage, and bones if left untreated.

Common Symptoms

Joint pain and swelling

Pronounced morning stiffness (often lasting more than one hour)

Warmth and tenderness in the affected joints

Fatigue and a general feeling of being unwell

Symptoms often affect the same joints on both sides of the body

Commonly Affected Joints

Fingers and hands

Wrists

Toes and feet

Knees, shoulders, and ankles

What Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis?

The immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own joints.

Genetics play an important role.

Smoking increases the risk of developing the disease.

The exact cause is not yet fully understood.

Treatment

Although rheumatoid arthritis cannot be cured, it can be managed very effectively, especially when treatment is started early.

Treatment options include:

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), such as methotrexate

Biologic therapies

Pain-relieving medication and corticosteroids

Physiotherapy and regular exercise

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic joint disease in which the cartilage that cushions the joints gradually wears away. Healthy cartilage acts as a shock absorber, allowing bones to move smoothly against each other. As the cartilage deteriorates, the joint can become painful, stiff, and less mobile.

Common Symptoms

Joint pain, particularly during or after activity

Stiffness, often most noticeable in the morning or after periods of rest

Reduced range of motion

Swelling and, in some cases, grinding or clicking sensations within the joint

Commonly Affected Joints

Knees

Hips

Hands and fingers

Spine and neck

What Causes Osteoarthritis?

Several factors can increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis, including:

Age (the risk increases with advancing age)

Repetitive strain or excessive joint loading

Previous joint injuries

Excess body weight, particularly affecting the knees and hips

Genetic predisposition

Treatment

Although osteoarthritis cannot be cured, its symptoms can be managed effectively.

Treatment options include:

Regular exercise and strength training (essential for maintaining joint function)

Weight loss, where appropriate

Pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medication

Physiotherapy

Joint replacement surgery (such as hip or knee replacement) in severe cases

An inflammatory rheumatic disease that primarily affects the spine and pelvic joints. Symptoms include long-term back pain and morning stiffness, especially in younger men. The disease can lead to reduced mobility in the back over time.

Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis that can develop in people with psoriasis. It is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the joints, tendons, and ligaments, and often also affects the skin and nails.

Common Symptoms

Joint pain, swelling, and stiffness

Morning stiffness (often lasting more than 30–60 minutes)

Swollen fingers or toes ("sausage digits" or dactylitis)

Pain where tendons attach to bone (for example, the heel/Achilles tendon or elbow)

Fatigue

Psoriasis affecting the skin or nails, which may appear before or after joint symptoms

Commonly Affected Areas

Fingers and toes

Knees, ankles, and feet

Spine and pelvis (in some patients)

Symptoms often occur asymmetrically, affecting different joints on each side of the body

Who Is at Risk?

Approximately 20–30% of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis.

The condition most commonly develops between 30 and 50 years of age.

Genetics are an important risk factor.

Treatment

Although psoriatic arthritis cannot be cured, it can be managed effectively, particularly when treatment is started early.

Treatment options include:

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), such as methotrexate

Biologic therapies

Pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medication

Exercise and physiotherapy

In addition to the most common conditions, we also treat a number of other rheumatological diseases, including:

Connective tissue diseases such as lupus (SLE), Sjögren's syndrome, and systemic scleroderma

Vasculitis diseases (inflammation of blood vessels)

Polymyalgia rheumatica

Crystal gout (e.g. gouty arthritis and pyrophosphate gout)

Reaktiv arthritis

Tenosynovitis and bursitis

Overuse-related disorders of joints and soft tissues

These conditions can be complex and often require a thorough assessment, blood tests, and imaging to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.

Safe and caring treatment by the staff present. Centrally located in the middle of Charlottenlund, with 2 hours of free parking and a stone's throw from Charlottenlund Station and public transport.

Charlottenlund Private Hospital is located in bright and beautiful premises with a view of Charlottenlund Forest and offers an exclusive and unique patient experience where you are called in on time and do not have to sit and wait for hours in crowded waiting rooms. We make a virtue of the setting and surroundings matching our high professional level, so that the entire visit is as you wish.