Swiss Clinic
Menu
Swiss Medical

Rheumatology

Specialist evaluation and conservative treatment of joint, spine, muscle and tendon problems, inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions and osteoporosis.

Rheumatology specialty clinic

When joint pain, stiffness or swelling makes it hard to move for an extended time

Joint and musculoskeletal symptoms can stem from simple overuse, degenerative changes, a spine-related problem or an inflammatory rheumatic disease. Evaluation is especially important if the pain comes with joint swelling, prolonged morning stiffness, limited range of motion or recurring inflammation.

At the Swiss Clinic rheumatology specialty clinic, the specialist first reviews your symptoms and medical history in detail, then examines the affected joints and musculoskeletal system. When needed, laboratory tests, imaging or joint aspiration can help establish an accurate diagnosis, which is the basis for a personalized treatment plan.

Book by phone

Schedule an appointment quickly by speaking directly with our team:

+36 1 225 0566

Instant online booking

Don't want to wait? Book now and get immediate confirmation!

Book an appointment
Rheumatology specialty clinic and examination

What to know before your visit

For a rheumatology evaluation, it is especially important that the specialist gets a clear picture of how your pain, stiffness and any joint swelling change over time.

What should you keep in mind before you arrive?

  • Track your morning stiffness: It helps to note how long it takes after waking for your joints to move more easily, and whether movement relieves or worsens your symptoms.
  • Document joint swelling: If a joint swells, turns red or feels warm from time to time, a photo taken during a flare can be helpful if the swelling has gone down by the time of your appointment.
  • Bring your imaging and lab results: Previous X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI and bone density test results, as well as inflammatory or immunological lab results, can help the specialist assess your condition.
  • Report any current infection or fever: If a joint aspiration or injection may be considered, be sure to tell the specialist before the procedure if you have a fever, an active infection, are taking antibiotics or have a skin infection over the affected area.

When should you see a rheumatologist?

A rheumatology evaluation is especially recommended if your symptoms are persistent, recurring or accompanied by signs of inflammation:

  • Joint pain, swelling and stiffness: If you have persistent pain, tenderness, swelling or limited range of motion in one or more joints.
  • Prolonged morning joint stiffness: If your joints are hard to move after waking and the stiffness regularly lasts a long time, an inflammatory process should also be considered.
  • Spine and lower back problems: If you have persistent or recurring neck, upper back or lower back pain, or reduced spinal mobility, especially when symptoms are not improving as expected.
  • Muscle, tendon and soft tissue problems: If you have persistent muscle pain, pain at tendon attachment points or other musculoskeletal symptoms that are not related to an injury.
  • Osteoporosis or increased fracture risk: If you have confirmed low bone density, a fracture from a minor impact, or significant risk factors for osteoporosis.

Available examinations

In addition to general evaluation, the Swiss Clinic rheumatology specialty clinic also offers targeted procedures:

Initial and follow-up rheumatology consultation

Review of your symptoms, medical history and previous results, a physical musculoskeletal exam and a personalized evaluation or treatment plan.

Why choose Swiss Clinic?

Musculoskeletal pain can be treated in a truly targeted way when we first clarify whether degenerative, inflammatory, spine-related or other changes are behind it. At Swiss Clinic, your rheumatology evaluation can be supported by laboratory and imaging diagnostics as well as targeted procedures when needed.

Book an appointment

We look beyond the site of the pain

Along with the condition of your joints, the specialist evaluates the nature of your symptoms, how they change over time and any signs of inflammation.

Lab tests and imaging as needed

When appropriate, your evaluation can be complemented by laboratory tests, X-rays or other imaging studies.

Joint aspiration and injection

In certain cases, removing joint fluid or local injection therapy can also be part of your care.

Preserving your mobility

Depending on your condition, your treatment plan may include medication, physical therapy, therapeutic exercise or other nonsurgical options.

Rheumatology is about more than joint wear and tear

A rheumatologist specializes in the nonsurgical evaluation and treatment of many conditions affecting the joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments and spine. Symptoms may be caused by degenerative changes, overuse or other mechanical problems, but also by inflammatory or autoimmune diseases.

That is why it is important to tell the different conditions apart during the examination. The specialist assesses joint movement, swelling and tenderness, reviews how your symptoms have developed over time and, when needed, orders additional laboratory or imaging tests. If there is a significant joint effusion, aspiration can provide diagnostic information and, in some cases, may also help relieve symptoms.

Do you have joint pain, morning stiffness or recurring swelling, or are several areas of your musculoskeletal system affected at once? Our rheumatology specialists use a targeted evaluation to help identify the cause of your symptoms and, based on the results, determine the right treatment options.

Main areas of expertise and evaluation:

Joint pain and inflammation

  • Joint pain and swelling
  • Morning stiffness
  • Involvement of one or more joints
  • Evaluation of suspected inflammatory joint disease

Spine and soft tissues

  • Neck, upper back and lower back pain
  • Muscle and tendon problems
  • Tenderness at tendon attachment points
  • Limited range of motion and overuse problems

Osteoporosis and treatment

  • Assessment of osteoporosis risk
  • Review of previous bone density tests
  • Consideration of fracture risk and coexisting conditions
  • Medication and nonmedication treatment plan, as needed

Don't let your symptoms leave you with unanswered questions

Our experienced medical specialists and advanced diagnostic technology can help identify the underlying causes of your symptoms. Choose an appointment time that works best for you.

Frequently asked questions

The most common questions about the rheumatology specialty clinic.

A rheumatology evaluation may be warranted for persistent or recurring joint pain, swelling, morning stiffness, limited range of motion, spine problems, or muscle or tendon pain. It is especially worth seeking an evaluation if several joints are affected, symptoms occur even at rest, or signs of inflammation regularly accompany them.

The two specialties overlap. Rheumatology mainly focuses on the conservative treatment of musculoskeletal diseases and the evaluation of inflammatory and systemic rheumatic conditions. Orthopedics places greater emphasis on structural and mechanical problems of the musculoskeletal system, including those that can be treated surgically.

During joint aspiration, fluid is removed from the joint with a needle under sterile conditions. It may be needed to relieve pressure when there is a significant effusion, and it can also be done for diagnostic purposes, for example when analyzing the fluid can help identify the underlying cause.

For certain joint or soft tissue problems, the specialist may recommend local injection therapy. Which medication can be used, and whether treatment is appropriate at all, depends on the specific condition, the state of the joint and individual risk factors. Such an injection cannot be performed if there is an active infection in or around the joint.

The risk of osteoporosis increases with age, but the need for testing is not determined by menopause alone. Factors such as age, a previous fracture from a minor injury, family history, low body weight, certain medical conditions and some long-term medications can all play a role. These factors help determine whether a bone density test is needed.