The program includes:
- Initial presentation in the clinic
- clinical history taking
- review of medical records
- physical examination
- laboratory tests:
- complete blood count
- inflammation indicators (CRP, ESR)
- rheumatoid factor (RF)
- ultrasound of joints
- MRI scan of joints (on indication 1200 €)
- joint fluid test
- nursing services
- consultation of related specialists
- consultation of the chief physician and all leading experts
- development of individual treatment plan
- written statement
Required documents
- Medical records
Service
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About the department
The Department of Rheumatology at the Schlosspark Hospital Berlin offers comprehensive medical care to patients with rheumatic diseases. The medical team has impressive experience in the diagnostics and treatment of all systemic rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, collagenosis, vasculitis, and spondyloarthropathies. The department's specialists also provide medical care to patients with skeletal pathologies, with particular focus on osteoporosis treatment. After being certified by the German Society of Osteology in 2011, the medical facility is now a certified Center of Excellence for Osteology. Diagnostics and treatment for patients can be provided both on an inpatient and outpatient basis. The department's patients are provided with an individually elaborated course of drug therapy, which is complemented by therapeutic exercises and physiotherapy procedures, ergotherapy, art therapy, and diet therapy. The department's doctors are always open to dialogue with the patient and make every effort to achieve an effective result, striving to provide the patient with a full life without any pain and stiffness of movements. The department is headed by Prof. Dr. med. Rieke Alten.
The most common disease in the department's clinical practice is rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic autoimmune lesion of large and small joints with the involvement of internal organs in the inflammatory process. In most cases, rheumatoid arthritis progresses quite quickly, causing severe symptoms such as pain and stiffness in the joints in the morning and at night, joint swelling, constant muscle weakness, increased fatigue, a slight increase in body temperature, sweating, weight loss, etc. Diagnostics for suspected rheumatoid arthritis include a clinical examination, study of the patient's complaints, laboratory tests (specific blood tests and synovial fluid analysis), and instrumental tests (ultrasound, X-ray, and MRI scans). If the diagnosis is confirmed, the patient will undergo long and intensive therapy. The treatment regimen is developed on an individual basis, taking into account the stage of rheumatoid arthritis, the severity of the inflammatory process, the severity of the course of the disease, the presence of extra-articular manifestations of the pathology, and other factors. The first-line treatment is drug therapy. The patient is prescribed drugs from various groups aimed at relieving pain, suppressing the inflammatory process, and reducing the activity of the immune system, which mistakenly attacks the healthy tissues of the patient with rheumatoid arthritis. The intake of drugs allows for a stable remission of the disease and the prevention of its progression. The department's doctors often resort to intra-articular injections of drugs to relieve pain and eliminate swelling in the joints. Drug therapy is supplemented by regular exercise therapy. Patients with severe forms of rheumatoid arthritis may be indicated for surgical treatment, such as an arthroscopic intervention or joint replacement surgery.
The department's specialists admit patients with ankylosing spondylitis (Bekhterev's disease). This is an autoimmune condition characterized by joint and spinal inflammation. As in other rheumatic conditions, Bekhterev's disease may provoke pathological changes in the internal organs. The main manifestations of the disease are aching back pain, back stiffness (especially in the morning), pain during deep breathing, coughing and sneezing, and increasing spinal mobility limitations. The department's doctors conduct a clinical examination, laboratory tests, and instrumental tests, including spinal X-rays, spinal MRI scans, and joint ultrasound scans, to make a diagnosis. Ankylosing spondylitis is an incurable disease, but doctors have at their disposal modern therapeutic options for alleviating pain and ensuring a high quality of life. During the treatment process, the patient takes individually prescribed drugs, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, immunobiological drugs, and others. An integral part of the therapeutic process are therapeutic exercises, which allow for maintaining spinal mobility and reducing pain. Swimming also provides patients with a good therapeutic effect.
An important focus of the department's rheumatologists is the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus, a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease that develops as a result of an attack by the immune system on the person's own tissues and organs. The most common manifestations include fever, joint pain, joint stiffness, red skin rashes, butterfly rashes, Raynaud's syndrome, shortness of breath, headaches, and mood swings. The diagnostic protocol for suspected systemic lupus erythematosus includes an examination of the patient and studying his complaints, as well as a complex of laboratory and instrumental tests. As for the treatment, it only involves the prescription of drugs. The department's rheumatologists also treat complications of systemic lupus erythematosus in the kidneys, central nervous system, digestive system, lungs, and heart in cooperation with highly specialized doctors.
The department's specialization includes the following:
- Diagnostics and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
- Diagnostics and treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (Bekhterev's disease)
- Diagnostics and treatment of undifferentiated spondyloarthritis
- Diagnostics and treatment of reactive forms of arthritis and arthritis caused by inflammatory bowel disease
- Diagnostics and treatment of psoriatic arthritis
- Diagnostics and treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus
- Diagnostics and treatment of dermatomyositis
- Diagnostics and treatment of systemic scleroderma
- Diagnostics and treatment of fibromyalgia and other rheumatic soft tissue lesions
- Diagnostics and treatment of osteoporosis
- Diagnostics and treatment of other rheumatic pathologies
The department's range of therapeutic services includes:
- Drug therapy: pills, infusion therapy, and injection therapy
- Therapeutic exercises
- Physiotherapy procedures
- Ergotherapy
- Diet therapy
- Art therapy
- Other treatment methods
Curriculum vitae
Higher Education and Postgraduate Training
- Medical studies, Free University of Berlin.
- 1973 Internship, Jewish Hospital Berlin.
- 1974 Admission to medical practice, Berlin.
- 1974 - 1975 Postdoctoral Fellow, Institute of Immunology, University of Zurich.
- 1975 Thesis defense, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich. Subject: "Ovarian development in a mouse model".
- 1984 Board certification in Internal Medicine.
- 1985 Board certification in Rheumatology.
- 1985 - 1989 Internships in Switzerland, USA, and China.
- 1989 Board certification in Physiotherapy.
- 2001 Additional qualification in Sports Medicine.
- 2005 Additional qualification in Osteology, German Society of Osteology.
- 2017 Professorship.
Professional Career
- 1975 - 1984 Research Fellow, Department of Internal Medicine, Free University of Berlin.
- 1975 - 1984 Work in the Department of Internal Medicine (focus on rheumatism treatment), Immanuel Hospital Berlin.
- Since 1990 Head Physician, Department of Rheumatology, Schlosspark Hospital Berlin.
- 1999 - 2004 Expansion of the Department of Rheumatology, Physiotherapy and Sports Medicine in the Mueritz Hospital, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Clinical Trials
- Principal Investigator for over 200 clinical trials of new drugs for rheumatic diseases.
Publications
- Author of over 200 articles, book chapters, and reviews.
Memberships in Professional Societies
- 1987 - 1991 Berlin Medical Association, Vice President.
- Since 1992 German Society of Rheumatology (Scientific Advisory Board), Public Relations Committee Chair.
- Since 1998 Society of Psychosomatics in Rheumatology, President.
- 1999 - 2004 Institute for Drug Research at the Federal Ministry of Health, Germany.
Photo of the doctor: (c) Schlosspark-Klinik GmbH
About hospital
The Schlosspark Hospital Berlin began its work in 1970 and, during this time, has gained an excellent reputation not only in Germany but also in the international medical arena. The Schlosspark Hospital Berlin is an academic hospital of the Charite University Hospital Berlin, which is one of the best medical centers in Europe and throughout the world. The successful clinical practice of the medical facility is based on an advanced medical and technical base, access to the very latest and most effective treatment methods, and the exceptional competence and experience of medical personnel. The hospital is located in the picturesque Charlottenburg Park, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, which contributes to the peace of mind of patients.
The hospital's bed fund includes 340 beds. Structurally, the hospital consists of 12 specialized departments with narrowly focused centers integrated into them, which are responsible for the treatment of a particular group of diseases. More than 14,000 patients are treated annually at the hospital. One of the priorities of the medical facility is emergency medical care. With an annual number of more than 10,000 surgical interventions, including operations of high complexity, the department is particularly interested in surgical treatment.
The hospital's medical team consists of more than 900 employees. The departments at the hospital are headed by professors who are well-known in the medical community and have impressive clinical experience and outstanding professional achievements. In the course of diagnostics and treatment, an individual approach is used for each patient, and his needs and wishes are also taken into account. The hospital pays due attention to patient care during the therapeutic process. Despite state-of-the-art medical equipment and the automation of many processes, a humane and respectful attitude towards the patient is the first priority for the doctors at the hospital. The specialists are always open to dialogue and do their best to achieve the best treatment outcomes.
Photo: (с) depositphotos
Accommodation in hospital
Patients rooms
The patients of the Schlosspark Hospital Berlin live in comfortable rooms with light colors. Each patient room has an ensuite bathroom with a shower and a toilet. The standard patient room includes a comfortable automatically adjustable bed, a bedside cabinet with a pull-out table, a wardrobe, a table and chairs for receiving visitors, a telephone, and a TV. Wi-Fi is available on the territory of the hospital. The hospital also offers enhanced-comfort rooms with a more exquisite design.
Meals and Menus
The patient and their accompanying person are offered three meals a day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A new menu is prepared for patients each week. Only high-quality and fresh products are used for cooking meals. The menu includes dietary and vegetarian dishes. The patient will be offered an individual menu if necessary.
There is a cozy cafe on the ground floor of the hospital that serves full breakfasts, a wide range of hot and cold drinks, delicious desserts, and snacks.
Further details
Standard rooms include:
Accompanying person
The accompanying person may stay with you in the patient room or at the hotel of your choice during the inpatient program.
Hotel
You may stay at the hotel of your choice during the outpatient program. Our manager will help you choose the best option.