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Rheumatology Services at Flinders Medical Centre
The Rheumatology Unit at Flinders Medical Centre (FMC) offers a full range of inpatient and outpatient services. The unit plays an active role in teaching, clinical and scientific research, through Flinders University.
Early recognition of an inflammatory joint condition or a connective tissue disorder can be critical in implementing effective disease management, minimizing joint and end organ damage and assisting in a rapid return to good health.
A rheumatologist is a specialist physician who has expertise in a wide range of conditions, ranging from inflammatory and non-inflammatory joint conditions, muscle and bone disorders.
Clinics run from FMC include general rheumatology (Clinic B, level 2), Biologics Clinic (Clinic B), and Inflammatory Skin Clinic (located in the Medicine Clinic on Level 2).
Rheumatology clinics are also run by the SALHN Rheumatology service at GP Plus Marion and the Noarlunga Hospital.
The following are examples of conditions managed by the Rheumatology Unit at FMC:
- Inflammatory arthritis: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Seronegative Spondyloarthropathies
- Psoriatic Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Arthritis associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Reactive Arthritis
- Auto-immune connective tissue diseases: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Systemic Sclerosis, Sjögren’s Disease and Inflammatory Myopathies
- Vasculitis
- Polymyalgia rheumatica
- Crystal arthritis including Gout
- Metabolic bone disorders, particularly Osteoporosis and Paget’s Disease
- Soft tissue Rheumatic disorders including painful shoulder, elbow and foot conditions, tendonitis and polymyalgia rheumatica
Chronic Pain states are not managed by the rheumatology unit.
Referrals
Referrals are accepted from general practitioners and other medical specialists by telephone, fax or post.
Contact details
Head - Professor Michael Shanahan
Location: Rheumatology Unit, level 2
Telephone: (08) 8204 6429
Fax: (08) 8204 4150
Email: Health.fmcrheumatologyunit@sa.gov.au