Expert Care for Joint, Autoimmune, and Connective Tissue Disorders

King Faisal Hospital Rwanda’s Rheumatology Unit is a center of excellence for diagnosing, treating, and managing complex rheumatic and autoimmune conditions. The unit brings together board-certified rheumatologists, experienced nurses, and allied health professionals to offer patient-centered care guided by the latest medical evidence and innovations.

Rheumatic diseases often involve inflammation of the joints, muscles, and connective tissues, as well as systemic autoimmune responses that can affect multiple organs. Because these conditions are chronic and sometimes progressive, early diagnosis and comprehensive management are key to maintaining mobility, minimizing pain, and preserving quality of life.

Conditions Treated

Our specialists manage a broad spectrum of musculoskeletal and autoimmune conditions, including:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Tendinopathies
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• Spondyloarthritis

• Microcrystal-associated diseases like Gout, Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition aka CPPD, and Hydroxyapatite deposition diseasese (HADD)
• Inflammatory myositis
• Scleroderma
• Vasculitis syndromes
• Sjögren’s syndrome
• Polymyalgia rheumatica
• Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) and overlapping syndrome
• Undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD)
• Sarcoidosis
• Behcet’s disease
• Osteoarthritis and other degenerative joint diseases

Core Services Offered

Patients benefit from a full suite of services tailored to their individual needs, such as:

• Specialist Consultations
  • Thorough clinical evaluations for new or complex symptoms
  • Long-term follow-up care to monitor disease activity and treatment response
• Advanced Diagnostic Tools
  • Blood tests to detect inflammation and autoimmune markers
  • Imaging (X-ray, ultrasound, CT/MRI) in collaboration with Radiology
  • Joint aspiration for fluid analysis
• Customized Treatment Plans
  • Medication management including Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) and biologic therapies
  • Physical therapy to restore function and maintain joint health
  • Lifestyle and nutritional counseling to support overall well-being
• Joint Injections & Pain Management
  • Targeted corticosteroid injections to relieve inflammation and stiffness
  • Pain relief strategies using the latest therapeutic techniques
• Infusion Therapy
  • On-site administration of intravenous medications for patients requiring advanced immunomodulatory therapy
  • Safe, monitored environment staffed by trained infusion nurses

Patient-Centered Approach

Living with a rheumatic disease can be physically and emotionally demanding. The Rheumatology team provides ongoing education, compassionate care, and coordinated support to help patients manage their condition and maintain an active, fulfilling life.

Care plans are developed in close collaboration with patients and—when needed—other specialists such as nephrologists, pulmonologists, dermatologists, and physiotherapists to ensure holistic care.

Take Control of Your Joint and Autoimmune Health

Don’t let joint pain or fatigue go unexplored. Early diagnosis and the right treatment can make all the difference.