Rheumatology – Rheumatologist at Charlottenlund Privathospital
Assessment of arthritis, joint pain, connective tissue diseases and fibromyalgia by four specialist rheumatologists in Charlottenlund.
A rheumatologist is a specialist in internal medicine and rheumatology who diagnoses and treats conditions affecting the joints, muscles, tendons and connective tissues. At Charlottenlund Privathospital, four specialist rheumatologists – Mehdi Hamoudi, Sikandar Aziz, Sussi Maria Øftiger and Uffe Møller Døhn – see patients with conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, osteoarthritis, connective tissue diseases and fibromyalgia. The initial consultation lasts 20–30 minutes, and blood tests and ultrasound examinations of joints and tendons can often be performed on the same day. Disease-modifying and biological treatments are provided in the public hospital system, where patients are referred once their diagnostic assessment is complete. Many patients attend through private health insurance.
What Is a Rheumatologist?
A rheumatologist is a specialist in internal medicine and rheumatology, commonly known as an arthritis specialist. Rheumatologists diagnose and treat conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, including inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis, as well as non-inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia.
According to the Danish Health Authority's description of the specialty, rheumatology also covers overuse-related conditions and injuries affecting joints, muscles, the back and bones. This is why Charlottenlund Privathospital also offers sports medicine.
An important part of a rheumatologist's work is identifying the cause of joint pain. Is it a sign of an inflammatory disease that requires treatment to control its progression, or is it caused by wear and tear, overuse or a chronic pain condition?
The answer determines which treatment is most appropriate. Many patients have experienced pain for a long time and tried several treatments before seeing a rheumatologist. A key part of the assessment is therefore bringing together the patient's symptoms, blood test results, imaging findings and previous treatments to establish a diagnosis.
When Should You See a Rheumatologist?
You should consider seeing a rheumatologist if joint pain, swelling or stiffness has no obvious explanation and does not resolve on its own. A GP will often refer patients when blood tests show elevated inflammatory markers or when symptoms have persisted for several weeks.
Which Conditions Are Diagnosed and Treated?
Rheumatological conditions are common. According to the Danish National Health Profile 2025, 23.8% of adults in Denmark report having osteoarthritis.
At Charlottenlund Privathospital, specialists assess inflammatory rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, psoriatic arthritis and polymyalgia rheumatica, crystal-related arthritis such as gout, connective tissue diseases, as well as osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia.
Select a condition to learn more about its symptoms, diagnosis and treatment:
Can fibromyalgia be assessed at a private hospital?
Yes. Fibromyalgia is assessed by a rheumatology specialist at Charlottenlund Privathospital, without first having to go through treatment in the public hospital system. The assessment aims to rule out other causes of widespread pain, such as inflammatory arthritis, through a thorough examination and blood tests. The rheumatologist can then make a diagnosis and develop a plan together with the patient. More about symptoms and treatment is on the page about fibromyalgia.
What Happens During an Assessment at Charlottenlund Privathospital?
The process begins with an initial consultation with a specialist rheumatologist, lasting 20–30 minutes. The rheumatologist will ask about your symptoms and how they have developed, your medical history and any medication you take. They will also examine your joints, back and muscles.
Blood tests are often taken, and the rheumatologist may perform an ultrasound examination of the joints and tendons during the consultation.
Ultrasound can reveal inflammation of the joint lining, fluid within a joint and changes around tendon attachments. Blood tests and ultrasound examinations can often be performed on the same day.
Once the results are available, the rheumatologist will recommend the next steps. These may include treatment at Charlottenlund Privathospital, referral for an X-ray or MRI scan if necessary, or referral to the public hospital system with the completed diagnostic assessment.
Follow-up consultations take place either by telephone or in person.
It is helpful to bring a list of your current medications and any previous blood test or scan results from your GP to the initial consultation.
If your symptoms come and go, such as intermittent joint swelling, photographs taken on your phone may also be useful.
What services are offered, and what is handled by the public hospital system?
The assessment and much of the treatment take place at Charlottenlund Privathospital. Disease-modifying and biologic medicines for inflammatory arthritis are started and monitored in the public hospital system, in accordance with the Danish Society for Rheumatology’s treatment guidelines. Patients are referred there once their assessment is complete.
Who will you see?
The assessment is carried out by one of the hospital’s four rheumatology specialists. Sikandar Aziz is also a sports medicine specialist and sees patients with overuse injuries.
Referrals and Payment
Many private health insurance policies cover rheumatology assessments. However, insurance providers typically require a referral from your GP and prior authorisation before an appointment is booked. The specific conditions depend on your insurance policy.
If you are paying for your own treatment, no referral is required. Prices are available in our price list.
Consultations take place at the hospital's main location at Jægersborg Allé 4 in Charlottenlund.
Appointments can be booked online 24 hours a day or by calling 44 98 19 21, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Outside telephone opening hours, our digital telephone assistant can book, reschedule and cancel appointments.
Frequently asked questions
What is a rheumatologist?
A specialist in internal medicine: rheumatology, who assesses and treats conditions affecting the joints, muscles, tendons and connective tissue – such as rheumatoid arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, gout, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia.
What is the difference between a rheumatologist and an arthritis specialist?
There is no difference. “Arthritis specialist” is the common term for a rheumatologist, that is, a specialist in internal medicine: rheumatology.
Do I need a referral to see a rheumatologist at Charlottenlund Privathospital?
Health insurance companies typically require a referral from your GP and prior approval. If you are paying privately, you do not need a referral.
Where can I find the price of an initial consultation with a rheumatologist?
Prices for the initial consultation, blood tests and ultrasound scans are listed on the price list. Many health insurance policies cover assessment by a rheumatologist, subject to prior approval.
What happens at the first consultation?
The initial consultation lasts 20–30 minutes. The rheumatologist will ask about your symptoms and examine your joints, back and muscles. Blood tests and ultrasound scans can often be done on the same day. A plan is then made for further assessment or treatment.
Can fibromyalgia be diagnosed at Charlottenlund Privathospital?
Yes. The rheumatologist first rules out other causes of the pain, such as inflammatory arthritis, through an examination and blood tests, and can then make a diagnosis.
Are rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory rheumatic diseases treated?
The condition is assessed and diagnosed at Charlottenlund Privathospital, and an inflamed joint can be treated with a corticosteroid injection. Disease-modifying and biologic medicines are started in the public hospital system, to which patients are referred once their assessment is complete.
Are ultrasound examinations of joints available?
Yes. The rheumatologist performs ultrasound scans of joints and tendons during the consultation and can identify inflammation of the joint lining, fluid in the joint and changes where tendons attach to bone.
Does Charlottenlund Privathospital offer therapeutic injections?
Yes. Ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injections are given for inflammation in joints, tendon sheaths and bursae. Injections are not routinely given for osteoarthritis of the knee.
Where does the examination take place?
At the main department at Jægersborg Allé 4 in Charlottenlund. All rheumatology services at Charlottenlund Privathospital are provided on an outpatient basis there.
What is the difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the breakdown of cartilage in a joint. It most often affects the knees, hips and hands, causing pain with use. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease in which the immune system attacks the joints, causing swelling, tenderness and prolonged morning stiffness.
Read Also
Practical information before your visit and advice about overuse injuries affecting tendons and muscles.