Rheumatology Insights
Written by Dr Animesh Singh, Consultant Rheumatologist in London, these articles provide patient-friendly explanations of joint pain, inflammatory arthritis, gout, osteoporosis, autoimmune disease, vasculitis, blood tests and rheumatology treatments. They also include selected clinical insights and patient experiences to help explain how rheumatic conditions are assessed and managed.
Please note, these posts are for general information only and do not constitute medical advice. Dr Singh would encourage you to speak to your healthcare professional to be assessed and managed for your specific symptoms.
DMARDs Explained: Methotrexate, Hydroxychloroquine and Other Treatments
A patient guide to DMARDs including methotrexate, sulfasalazine, hydroxychloroquine, mycophenolate and leflunomide — uses, safety and monitoring.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Explained: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory joint disease. Learn about symptoms, RF and anti-CCP antibodies, diagnosis, and modern treatments.
Axial Spondyloarthritis Explained: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
Axial spondyloarthritis is an inflammatory cause of chronic back pain. Learn about symptoms, MRI diagnosis, HLA-B27, and modern treatment options.
Inflammatory Back Pain – When to Seek Specialist Advice
Inflammatory back pain behaves differently from mechanical back pain. Learn about axial spondyloarthritis, HLA-B27, MRI and when to seek specialist advice.
Psoriatic Arthritis Explained
Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory joint disease linked to psoriasis. Learn about symptoms, diagnosis, imaging, and modern treatment options.
NHS and Private Care: Different Settings, Shared Principles
A clear explanation of NHS and private rheumatology care, including benefits, limitations, prescribing, biologic treatments, and how patients can move safely between both systems.
Anti-TNF Treatments in Rheumatology: What They Are and How They Help
A clear explanation of anti-TNF biologic treatments such as adalimumab, how they work, their safety profile, and what options exist if treatment needs to change.
Gout: More Than Just a Diet Problem
Gout is a common inflammatory arthritis affecting younger patients and increasing cardiovascular risk. Learn how it is diagnosed and treated effectively.
What Is a DEXA Scan — and How Is It Used in Assessing Bone Health?
A clear guide to DEXA scans, bone density, FRAX and bone turnover markers, and how specialist assessment helps guide osteoporosis care.
Romosozumab (Evenity®) in Osteoporosis: When and Why It Is Used
A specialist overview of romosozumab (Evenity®) for osteoporosis, including NICE, NOGG and Royal Osteoporosis Society guidance and when treatment is appropriate.
Blood Tests in Rheumatology: What Do CRP, ESR, ANA and Rheumatoid Factor Really Mean?
What do CRP, ESR, ANA and rheumatoid factor really mean? Learn how symptoms, clinical signs and targeted tests lead to accurate diagnosis.
Raynaud’s and Chilblains: Understanding the Causes — and When to Look Deeper
A patient-friendly guide to Raynaud’s phenomenon and chilblains, including secondary causes, COVID toes, supplements, and when specialist assessment is needed.
Understanding Bone Health and Osteoporosis: What Patients Should Know
A patient-focused guide to bone health and osteoporosis, explaining fracture risk, DEXA scans and personalised treatment, with expert insight from Dr Animesh Singh, Consultant Rheumatologist.
Inflammatory vs Mechanical Back Pain: Why the Difference Matters
Learn the difference between inflammatory and mechanical back pain, key symptoms to watch for, and when to see a rheumatologist.
Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis and the Gut: How Diet and the Microbiome Influence Inflammation
Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are not just skin and joint conditions — they are systemic inflammatory diseases influenced by the gut microbiome, diet and lifestyle. In this blog, Dr Singh explains how dietary choices can support gut health and reduce inflammation, and how his clinic and close collaboration with dermatologists integrates medication, lifestyle advice and whole-person care for better long-term outcomes.
Joining the Dots Through Whole-Person Clinical Assessment
A patient who had been bedbound for a month shared how repeated narrow assessments failed to find answers — until a whole-person clinical review revealed the underlying pattern and led to an effective treatment plan. This blog explores why joining the dots is essential when symptoms don’t fit neatly into a single box.
When the Diagnosis Isn’t Obvious: Investigating Complex Inflammatory Illness
Dr Singh highlights a family’s experience regarding the challenges of diagnosing and managing complex undifferentiated inflammatory disease in their relative.
When joint pain is more than ‘wear and tear’
A patient story of joint pain and swelling that wasn’t just ‘wear and tear’ - cardinal symptoms and signs of inflammatory joint disease and when to seek a specialist opinion.
Osteoarthritis: More Than “Wear and Tear” — Understanding the Modern Science
Osteoarthritis is far more complex than simple “wear and tear.” Modern science shows it involves joint inflammation, cartilage biology, bone changes and soft-tissue involvement. In this article, Dr Singh explains the real mechanisms behind osteoarthritis and shares how targeted diagnosis and treatments — including injections — can rapidly restore mobility, as experienced by a recent patient.
When Cancer Immunotherapy Affects the Joints and Muscles
Learn how immunotherapy can cause joint or muscle inflammation and how Dr Animesh Singh helps patients manage immune-related rheumatology side effects.