Anna Arthritis Care • Specialist Rheumatology • Gold Coast
About Inflammatory & Autoimmune Arthritis
Rheumatologists diagnose and manage a broad range of conditions affecting joints, muscles, connective tissues, and the immune system. These include:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis (axial spondyloarthritis)
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Gout
- Sjögren’s syndrome
- Vasculitis
- Myositis
- Systemic sclerosis, among others
Rheumatologists diagnose and manage a broad range of conditions affecting joints, muscles, connective tissues, and the immune system. These include:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis (axial spondyloarthritis)
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Gout
- Sjögren’s syndrome
- Vasculitis
- Myositis
- Systemic sclerosis, among others
Yes. Rheumatoid arthritis most commonly presents in adults aged 30 to 60, while axial spondyloarthritis often begins in those under 40. Psoriatic arthritis can occur at any age and may precede or follow the development of psoriasis. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) affects children and adolescents under the age of 16.
Most forms of autoimmune arthritis are chronic conditions that cannot be permanently cured. However, with modern disease-modifying therapies — including conventional DMARDs, biologic agents, and JAK inhibitors — it is possible to achieve sustained remission or very low disease activity in many patients. The goal of treatment is to eliminate active inflammation, preserve joint function, and maintain quality of life.
Most forms of autoimmune arthritis are chronic conditions that cannot be permanently cured. However, with modern disease-modifying therapies — including conventional DMARDs, biologic agents, and JAK inhibitors — it is possible to achieve sustained remission or very low disease activity in many patients. The goal of treatment is to eliminate active inflammation, preserve joint function, and maintain quality of life.
When Should I See a Rheumatologist for Joint Pain?
Early features include joint pain and swelling, prolonged morning stiffness lasting more than 30 to 45 minutes, fatigue disproportionate to activity, reduced joint range of motion, and in some cases skin changes such as psoriasis or nail abnormalities. Involvement of multiple small joints — particularly the hands, wrists, and feet — is a common early pattern in rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis.
Persistent joint pain lasting four to six weeks — particularly if accompanied by swelling, prolonged morning stiffness, or unexplained fatigue — warrants specialist assessment. Earlier review is appropriate if symptoms are severe, rapidly progressive, or involve a hot, acutely swollen joint, which may indicate septic arthritis or acute gout requiring urgent evaluation.
Yes. Seronegative rheumatoid arthritis (in which rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP antibodies are absent), axial spondyloarthritis, and psoriatic arthritis may all present with normal or only mildly elevated inflammatory markers. In these cases, diagnosis relies on careful clinical assessment, imaging including MRI and ultrasound, and pattern recognition by an experienced rheumatologist.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnosis is based on a combination of clinical history, physical examination, blood tests (including inflammatory markers, autoantibodies such as rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP, and uric acid), and imaging studies including X-rays, ultrasound, and MRI where indicated. No single test confirms the diagnosis in isolation; the overall clinical picture is paramount.
Yes, consistently across large clinical trials and registries. Early initiation of disease-modifying therapy — ideally within three to six months of symptom onset — significantly reduces the risk of long-term joint damage, improves functional outcomes, and substantially increases the likelihood of achieving sustained remission. This is the central rationale for prompt specialist referral.
Modern medications are designed to calm the overactive immune system, manage pain, and protect your joints from long-term damage. Treatment is tailored to the specific diagnosis and disease severity:
- Conventional DMARDs: Medications such as methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, and sulfasalazine remain first-line agents for many conditions.
- Biologic therapies: Including TNF inhibitors, IL-17 inhibitors, IL-6 inhibitors, and B-cell depletion agents — these are used when initial treatment is insufficient.
- JAK inhibitors: These are a newer class of targeted oral agents used in select patients.
- Corticosteroids: Short courses may be used to quickly manage disease flares.
Appointments at Anna Arthritis Care
Yes. A referral from your general practitioner is required to access specialist rheumatology care under Medicare. Your GP will coordinate appropriate preliminary investigations prior to the referral, which helps ensure your first consultation is as informative as possible. If your GP is uncertain whether a rheumatology referral is needed, they are welcome to contact our rooms for guidance.
Anna Arthritis Care operates from two convenient locations on the Gold Coast:
- Tugun: Our rooms are based at John Flynn Medical Centre, adjacent to John Flynn Private Hospital.
- Southport: Our rooms are located at 4/115 Nerang Street, Gold Coast Specialist Rooms.
Both locations offer specialist rheumatology consultations with Dr Sateesh Shankaranarayana and Dr Fabio Kullock.
Yes. Telehealth consultations are available for review appointments and select new patient consultations where clinically appropriate. Telehealth may be particularly suitable for patients located at a distance from our rooms, those with mobility limitations, or those requiring a brief review between in-person visits. While a comprehensive physical exam is limited via video, our specialists can still effectively review your symptoms, visually assess joint changes, and discuss test results remotely. Please contact our rooms to confirm eligibility and arrange a telehealth appointment.
To refer a patient or book a specialist consultation, please contact our rooms directly. New patient appointments require a valid GP referral. Our team will assist with appointment scheduling at whichever location is most convenient for you — John Flynn Medical Centre (Tugun) or our Southport rooms at 4/115 Nerang Street.
Conditions not treated at Anna Arthritis Care:
Our Rheumatologists do not
- Work Cover Assessments
- Total Permanent Disability
Arrange a Consultation
If you are experiencing persistent joint symptoms, specialist assessment can provide clarity on the diagnosis and guide appropriate management. To refer a patient or arrange a consultation, please contact Anna Arthritis Care at your nearest location:
- John Flynn Medical Centre, Tugun
- 4/115 Nerang Street, Southport