Rheumatology

The primary focus is on the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory rheumatic diseases. However, diagnosing and treating non-inflammatory/degenerative diseases of bone and joint is overlapped and complements with physiatry and orthopaedics.

Inflammatory rheumatic diseases are chronic, systemic diseases of unknown cause. External (environmental) factors, family predispositions and genetic risks may be considered. Systemic inflammation primarily affects the joints, tendons, and entheses, as well as the spine, muscles, and blood vessels. Patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases have more frequent cardiovascular comorbidities.

At Thalassotherapia Opatija, we provide treatment for rheumatological patients with conventional and biological medications that modify the disease, all according to the guidelines of the Croatian and European Society of Rheumatology (EULAR).

To help rheumatological patients maintain their functional status, we supplement the treatment with physical medicine methods and devote ourselves to educating and advising patients on treatment options and lifestyle changes.

DIAGNOSTIC POSSIBILITIES

• Specialist examination
• Anthropometry
• ABI
• Imaging methods: rheumatological (US), X-ray (RTG), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR) and densitometry
• Capillaroscopy in preparation
• Laboratory tests (RF, anti-CCP, IgA, IgM, IgG, C3, C4)

TREATMENT

• Conventional and biological therapy, as indicated by the rheumatologist
  Different methods of physical therapy
  Education and counselling of patients about the disease and treatment options, as well as changes in lifestyle habits

The most common diseases in our clinics:

Rheumatoid arthritis
Spondyloarthritis: ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis
Metabolic arthritis: gout, pseudogout
Osteoarthritis
Extra-articular rheumatism
Osteoporosis

Ordering options:

·         Outpatient treatment based on a referral from the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO)

·         Private ordering and payment according to the conditions from the valid pricelist of Thalassotherapia Opatija