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Keith Colvine - Rheumatologist
Private Service, Rheumatology
Today
Description
Dr Colvine has an interest in all components of rheumatological practice (inflammatory and non inflammatory). He has particular sub-specialty expertise with Ankylosing spondylitis, Sjogren’s syndrome, Psoriatic arthritis, early inflammatory arthritis, use of biological therapy in rheumatic disease and Crystal arthropathies (including calcium pyrophosphate arthritis and gout).
Rheumatology is the specialty of medicine that includes arthritis and autoimmune diseases. Arthritis means inflammation of a joint. A joint is where two or more bones meet and move in relation to each other. They are separated by a rubbery substance called cartilage which is smooth and slippery, allowing for easy movement. Cartilage covers the end of each bone. Tendons and ligaments attach bones to muscles and other bones. Cartilage, tendons and ligaments are enclosed within a membrane around the joint which releases a fluid into the joint space to keep it well lubricated. Autoimmune disease is where an abnormality in the immune system leads to the body’s defence harming its own cells by mistake. A rheumatologist is a doctor who has specialised in this area of medicine.
Consultants
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Dr Keith Colvine
Rheumatologist
Ages
Adult / Pakeke, Older adult / Kaumātua, Youth / Rangatahi
How do I access this service?
Referral
Referral Expectations
Your GP will refer you to Dr Colvine if they think you may have arthritis or an autoimmune disease and they require a specialist opinion regarding the diagnosis or treatment of the condition.
A history of your symptoms will be taken, as well as a review of any medications you are on (so please bring these with you). You will then be examined which may include a general examination or only examination of your joints, depending on what condition your specialist is looking for. You may have further testing to establish the diagnosis.
The specialist will discuss with you the possible diagnosis and what further tests or treatments are recommended. They will contact your GP about your diagnosis, results of tests and a treatment plan. You may have ongoing follow-up with the specialist or be discharged back to the care of your GP.
A standard new patient assessment is 60 minutes. Follow up appintments are 20-30mins. Telemedicine appointments are available if needed, but it is preferred that the first or new assessment is face to face.
You may also be referred to a physiotherapist, orthotist, or occupational therapist.
A physiotherapist provides physical therapy to assist with any disability you have.
An orthotist provides practical aids/footwear to help in overcoming any disability.
An occupational therapist reviews what equipment/advice will assist in activities of daily living if you have a disability.
Tests that may be required during or after your visit to the clinic include the following:
Joint Aspiration
Local anaesthetic is injected into the skin to numb the area and then a needle similar in size to that used to take a blood test is inserted into the space of your joint to take a sample of fluid. This is then sent to the laboratory for testing to aid in the diagnosis of your arthritis.
Skin Biopsy
Some conditions involve a rash and to make the diagnosis a biopsy needs to be taken. Local anaesthetic is injected into the skin to numb the area then a small cutting of skin is removed to be sent to the laboratory and examined under the microscope. The area is treated with a gauze dressing afterwards and usually doesn’t involve having any stitches.
Radiology
X-rays are useful to examine joints and these may be requested of joints that give you pain and sometimes joints that have no symptoms to help with the diagnosis.
An X-ray is a high frequency, high energy wave form. It cannot be seen with the naked eye, but can be picked up on photographic film.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) gives even more detailed pictures of joints and organs so may be requested.
An MRI machine does not work like an X-ray or CT; it is used for exact images of internal organs and body structures. This method delivers clear images without the exposure of radiation.
The procedure uses a combination of magnetic fields and radio waves which results in an image being made using the MRI’s computer.
Fees and Charges Categorisation
Fees apply
Fees and Charges Description
Keith is a Southern Cross Affiliated Provider and NIB First Choice Health Partner. Please contact the practice for more information.
Hours
| Mon – Fri | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
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These are office opening hours. Please contact the practice.
Procedures / Treatments
Otherwise known as degenerative arthritis. OA occurs when there is a breakdown of the cartilage, leaving the bones unprotected. It is very common and usually affects people as they get older. You can get it at any age and are more likely to if you have previously injured a joint, or are overweight. The symptoms can be very mild with just occasional pain with activity. Worsening symptoms include pain with activity and stiffness with rest. Joints can become swollen and restricted in movement. Joints can change shape as the bone changes in response to loss of protection. You otherwise feel well. The diagnosis is made on the basis of the history, examination findings and sometimes x-rays. The severity of joint damage seen on x-ray does not always correlate with the degree of pain you experience. Treatment includes guided exercises, weight reduction if needed, pain relief and sometimes surgery. For more information see www.arthritis.org.nz
Otherwise known as degenerative arthritis. OA occurs when there is a breakdown of the cartilage, leaving the bones unprotected. It is very common and usually affects people as they get older. You can get it at any age and are more likely to if you have previously injured a joint, or are overweight. The symptoms can be very mild with just occasional pain with activity. Worsening symptoms include pain with activity and stiffness with rest. Joints can become swollen and restricted in movement. Joints can change shape as the bone changes in response to loss of protection. You otherwise feel well. The diagnosis is made on the basis of the history, examination findings and sometimes x-rays. The severity of joint damage seen on x-ray does not always correlate with the degree of pain you experience. Treatment includes guided exercises, weight reduction if needed, pain relief and sometimes surgery. For more information see www.arthritis.org.nz
Otherwise known as degenerative arthritis. OA occurs when there is a breakdown of the cartilage, leaving the bones unprotected. It is very common and usually affects people as they get older. You can get it at any age and are more likely to if you have previously injured a joint, or are overweight.
The symptoms can be very mild with just occasional pain with activity. Worsening symptoms include pain with activity and stiffness with rest. Joints can become swollen and restricted in movement. Joints can change shape as the bone changes in response to loss of protection. You otherwise feel well.
The diagnosis is made on the basis of the history, examination findings and sometimes x-rays. The severity of joint damage seen on x-ray does not always correlate with the degree of pain you experience.
Treatment includes guided exercises, weight reduction if needed, pain relief and sometimes surgery. For more information see www.arthritis.org.nz
RA is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joints. This results in inflamed (red, hot, swollen), stiff and painful joints and eventually the destruction of the cartilage and bone of joints. RA can occur at any age. The cause is unknown. Symptoms do not only involve the joints but you may suffer from tiredness, low energy, fevers, poor appetite with weight loss and poor sleep. Diagnosis is made on the basis of your history and examination of your joints. X-rays may be normal in the early stages of the disease. MRI can be more sensitive at picking up early changes but can also be normal. Blood tests are done looking for an antibody that is present in about 75% of people with RA. This is called the rheumatoid factor. Unfortunately people who don’t have RA can have a positive rheumatoid factor test. Other blood tests can also help make the diagnosis. Treatment includes medications to relieve pain and inflammation. It also involves medication aiming at modifying the immune system to stop it from damaging the joints further. There are several medications in this group and your specialist will discuss side effects and benefits with you so you can work out which suit you best. For more information see www.arthritis.org.nz
RA is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joints. This results in inflamed (red, hot, swollen), stiff and painful joints and eventually the destruction of the cartilage and bone of joints. RA can occur at any age. The cause is unknown. Symptoms do not only involve the joints but you may suffer from tiredness, low energy, fevers, poor appetite with weight loss and poor sleep. Diagnosis is made on the basis of your history and examination of your joints. X-rays may be normal in the early stages of the disease. MRI can be more sensitive at picking up early changes but can also be normal. Blood tests are done looking for an antibody that is present in about 75% of people with RA. This is called the rheumatoid factor. Unfortunately people who don’t have RA can have a positive rheumatoid factor test. Other blood tests can also help make the diagnosis. Treatment includes medications to relieve pain and inflammation. It also involves medication aiming at modifying the immune system to stop it from damaging the joints further. There are several medications in this group and your specialist will discuss side effects and benefits with you so you can work out which suit you best. For more information see www.arthritis.org.nz
RA is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joints. This results in inflamed (red, hot, swollen), stiff and painful joints and eventually the destruction of the cartilage and bone of joints. RA can occur at any age. The cause is unknown.
Symptoms do not only involve the joints but you may suffer from tiredness, low energy, fevers, poor appetite with weight loss and poor sleep.
Diagnosis is made on the basis of your history and examination of your joints. X-rays may be normal in the early stages of the disease. MRI can be more sensitive at picking up early changes but can also be normal. Blood tests are done looking for an antibody that is present in about 75% of people with RA. This is called the rheumatoid factor. Unfortunately people who don’t have RA can have a positive rheumatoid factor test. Other blood tests can also help make the diagnosis.
Treatment includes medications to relieve pain and inflammation. It also involves medication aiming at modifying the immune system to stop it from damaging the joints further. There are several medications in this group and your specialist will discuss side effects and benefits with you so you can work out which suit you best. For more information see www.arthritis.org.nz
This is a syndrome of widespread aches, pains and fatigue. There may be morning stiffness and sleep problems. The diagnosis is made on the history of the pain and accompanying symptoms as well as the presence of tender points at specific sites on the body. There are a number of different theories and reasons for this condition. There will often be blood tests and maybe x-rays to exclude other diagnoses. Treatment involves pain killers, exercises, rest and sometimes antidepressant medication. For more information see www.arthritis.org.nz
This is a syndrome of widespread aches, pains and fatigue. There may be morning stiffness and sleep problems. The diagnosis is made on the history of the pain and accompanying symptoms as well as the presence of tender points at specific sites on the body. There are a number of different theories and reasons for this condition. There will often be blood tests and maybe x-rays to exclude other diagnoses. Treatment involves pain killers, exercises, rest and sometimes antidepressant medication. For more information see www.arthritis.org.nz
This is a syndrome of widespread aches, pains and fatigue. There may be morning stiffness and sleep problems. The diagnosis is made on the history of the pain and accompanying symptoms as well as the presence of tender points at specific sites on the body. There are a number of different theories and reasons for this condition. There will often be blood tests and maybe x-rays to exclude other diagnoses. Treatment involves pain killers, exercises, rest and sometimes antidepressant medication. For more information see www.arthritis.org.nz
This is an autoimmune disease where the immune system harms cells of the body. It can affect the joints, skin, nervous system, kidneys and heart. It is a disease for which there is no cure. It can be managed and usually controlled with medication. It affects different people differently and can have symptoms that come and go. Symptoms initially can include tiredness, muscle and joint pain and swelling, hair loss, rash, and fevers. The diagnosis is made on the basis of the history and examination findings as well as blood tests and urine tests. For more information see www.arthritis.org.nz
This is an autoimmune disease where the immune system harms cells of the body. It can affect the joints, skin, nervous system, kidneys and heart. It is a disease for which there is no cure. It can be managed and usually controlled with medication. It affects different people differently and can have symptoms that come and go. Symptoms initially can include tiredness, muscle and joint pain and swelling, hair loss, rash, and fevers. The diagnosis is made on the basis of the history and examination findings as well as blood tests and urine tests. For more information see www.arthritis.org.nz
This is an autoimmune disease where the immune system harms cells of the body. It can affect the joints, skin, nervous system, kidneys and heart. It is a disease for which there is no cure. It can be managed and usually controlled with medication. It affects different people differently and can have symptoms that come and go. Symptoms initially can include tiredness, muscle and joint pain and swelling, hair loss, rash, and fevers. The diagnosis is made on the basis of the history and examination findings as well as blood tests and urine tests. For more information see www.arthritis.org.nz
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Pharmacy
Contact Details
Mercy Specialist Centre, 100 Mountain Road, Epsom, Auckland
Central Auckland
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Phone
(09) 623 1170
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Fax
(09) 623 1172
Email
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This page was last updated at 8:28AM on September 27, 2024. This information is reviewed and edited by Keith Colvine - Rheumatologist.