Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Disease Unit

What we do

The Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Disease Unit (RMDU) is a unique national service for those with chronic rheumatologic and musculoskeletal conditions that require specialist management, care and rehabilitation. We support our patients to improve general well-being, maintain function and support independence and quality of life.

We see patients with a wide range of conditions such as:

Rheumatoid arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Osteoporosis
Fibromyalgia
Juvenile arthritis
Ankylosing spondylitis
Gout

Attending our RMDU service

We work with patients as a multidisciplinary team (MDT) providing disease and pain management and there are several ways in which patients can attend our RMDU service on our Harold’s Cross campus:

RMDU In-patient service:

Typically, RMDU in-patients will be admitted to our overnight unit for 2 weeks during which time they will participate in a programme tailored to their specific needs. This service operates 5 days a week, Monday-Friday (excluding bank holidays), home at weekends.

RMDU Out-patient service:

This is a multidisciplinary team (MDT) led programme whereby the length of care can depend upon a patient’s needs. This service operates 5 days a week, Monday -Friday.

RMDU Out-patient clinics:

These clinics are led by consultants, advanced nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists. This service operates 3 days a week: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

RMDU Infusion therapy:

The Infusion suite is where patients attend for their intravenous treatment and is led by a clinical nurse specialist. This suite operates 3 days a week: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

A unique and pioneering service

Our Pioneering RMDU unit is the longest established facility in Ireland to provide:

Care to spondyloarthropathy patients with a comprehensive multidisciplinary team (MDT) rehabilitation programme including hydrotherapy.

A comprehensive multidisciplinary team (MDT) treatment programme for adolescents with chronic rheumatic diseases.

A comprehensive fertility / pregnancy advisory and support service for patients with inflammatory arthritis.

Comprehensive, advanced practice nursing led complex rheumatic disease continuing care programmes for patients with gout and fibromyalgia syndrome.

An assessment and rehabilitation programme to patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).

RMDU is the only unit in the country which specialises in the rehabilitation of patients with primary or secondary degenerative disease including degenerative spinal and / or vertebral insufficiency fracture rehabilitation.