What is Arthritis Treatment?
Arthritis treatment covers a range of therapies used to relieve the pain, stiffness and swelling caused by osteoarthritis, and can be tailored to whichever joint is affected, including the knee, hip, shoulder, hand and wrist, foot and ankle, or spine. It is commonly recommended once symptoms start to affect daily activities such as walking, gripping or climbing stairs.
Treatment usually starts with non-surgical options such as pain management, physiotherapy and steroid injections, delivered through our Therapies Clinic, and progresses to surgery only if these measures no longer control your symptoms. This can include knee replacement or hip replacement, shoulder replacement, or treatment for more advanced arthritis in the hand, foot or spine. Conveniently located in St John’s Wood (NW8), we offer arthritis treatment to patients across London with a focus on safety and compassionate care.
Who is Arthritis Treatment suitable for?
- Persistent pain, stiffness or swelling in a joint such as the knee, hip, shoulder, hand or foot that hasn’t improved with rest or over-the-counter pain relief
- Reduced range of motion or difficulty with everyday tasks such as walking, gripping or climbing stairs
- Joint pain that is worse in the morning or after periods of inactivity
- Patients who have already tried physiotherapy or medication without lasting relief
Your consultant will assess which joints are affected and how advanced your arthritis is before recommending the most appropriate treatment.
Specialists who treat Arthritis at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital
How to pay for your treatment
If you’re… paying for yourself
Did you know you don’t need private medical insurance to come to St John & St Elizabeth Hospital? As a self-pay patient, you can access safe, outstanding quality health care at times to suit you.
For scans and tests, as well as to see most consultants, you’ll still need to be referred by a medical professional like your GP, but as a self-pay patient, the process is more straightforward. You won’t need authorisation from an insurance provider, and you’ll have greater choice of consultant and appointment times.
If you’re… insured
St John & St Elizabeth Hospital is approved by all major medical insurance companies. If you have a personal private health insurance policy, or your company provide it for you, you can use it to pay for your care from your initial consultation through to treatment, surgery and aftercare such as physiotherapy. Not all private health insurance plans cover the same things. It’s very important to check exactly what you are covered for with your insurance provider.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arthritis Treatment
Osteoarthritis is caused by gradual wear of the cartilage that cushions a joint, and mainly affects weight-bearing joints such as the knee and hip as we age. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the joint lining, and can affect multiple joints, often on both sides of the body, at a younger age. Our Rheumatology Clinic specialises in rheumatoid and other inflammatory forms of arthritis.
Not necessarily. Most people manage arthritis with non-surgical treatment such as physiotherapy, weight management, pain relief and joint injections. Surgery, such as joint replacement, is usually only considered when these measures no longer control pain or when the joint is significantly damaged.
This depends on which joint is affected. Our orthopaedic clinics are organised by body area, so you’ll be seen by a consultant who specialises in that specific joint, whether that’s the knee, hip, shoulder, hand and wrist, foot and ankle, or spine.
Most patients are referred by their GP, but as a self-pay patient at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital, you can also arrange an assessment directly, including through our private GP service if you don’t yet have a referral.
St John & St Elizabeth Hospital is located in St John’s Wood (NW8), easily accessible for patients from Hampstead (NW3), Kilburn (NW6) and across North and Central London.
By Tube: St John’s Wood station (Jubilee Line) is a 5-minute walk to and from St John & St Elizabeth Hospital.
By Bus: Routes 13, 46 and 113 stop near St John’s Wood Underground Station. Routes 139 and 189 stop on Abbey Road.
By Car: Finchley Road and Kilburn High Road provide direct routes from NW3 and NW6.