Rheumatology and pain therapy
Rheumatologist in Lugano
We assess and treat diseases of the spine, joints, muscles and bones. Diagnosis relies on in-house musculoskeletal ultrasound and rapid laboratory testing; treatment combines manual medicine, ultrasound-guided injections (including hyaluronic acid and PRP), neuromuscular training, laser therapy and acupuncture.
- Rheumatology and pain therapy consultation
- Musculoskeletal ultrasound performed by the specialist
- Second opinions, referrals from your physician via HIN and assessment of work capacity
FMH Physical medicine and rehabilitation
SGUM Musculoskeletal ultrasound
SSIPM Interventional pain therapy
SAMM Manual medicine
Book a rheumatology consultation
A complete diagnostic work-up and a personalised treatment plan.
We accept referrals and second-opinion requests from your physician, via HIN. dr.djordjevic@hin.ch
What we treat
Inflammatory diseases
- Polyarthritis and other inflammatory arthritides
- Spondyloarthritis of the spine
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Joint involvement in autoimmune diseases
Degenerative diseases
- Osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, hand and shoulder
- Disc degeneration and spinal osteoarthritis
- Spinal canal stenosis
- Osteoporosis and bone fragility
Spine
- Disc herniation and sciatica
- Scoliosis and postural disorders
- Whiplash sequelae
- Chronic neck and upper back pain
Soft tissue rheumatism
- Tennis elbow and epicondylitis
- Shoulder and Achilles tendinopathies
- Fibromyalgia and myofascial pain
- Bursitis and overuse syndromes
Metabolic diseases
- Gout and crystal arthropathies
- Involvement of joints and soft tissues
- Work-up with the in-house laboratory
- Management of relapses
Rehabilitation
- Recovery after accidents and surgery
- Functional recovery with neuromuscular training
- Assessment of work capacity
- Second opinions on surgical indications
Diagnosis and treatment
Musculoskeletal ultrasound
Dynamic assessment of joints, tendons and soft tissues during the consultation, with SGUM qualification. It also guides precise injections.
Laboratory testing
In-house laboratory and collaboration with a large laboratory for rapid results on inflammatory markers and autoimmune profiles.
Lung function testing
Specialised tests of breathing: breathing mechanics, gas exchange and physical exercise capacity.
Interventional pain therapy
Aspiration and injection of joints and soft tissues, spinal injections for disc herniation and canal stenosis.
Hyaluronic acid injections
Joint viscosupplementation with hyaluronic acid. Indication and technique are defined at the visit, often under ultrasound guidance.
PRP injections
Platelet-rich plasma prepared from the patient's own blood. Suited to tendon, ligament and muscle injuries, inflammation where tendons attach to bone, and cartilage damage.
Manual medicine
Hands-on examination and treatment of painful functional disorders of the musculoskeletal system: joint blockages, restricted movement, muscle tension and trigger points. A conservative orthopaedic method, without drugs or surgery, with SAMM qualification.
HUBER® 360 neuromuscular training
A multi-axis motorised platform with sensors that continuously measure the force applied: guided exercises for stability, strength, coordination and balance, for recovery after sprains, fractures, anterior cruciate ligament rupture and hip replacement, and for back pain.
Laser therapy
Non-invasive and invasive laser therapy as anti-inflammatory and regenerative support in chronic conditions.
Acupuncture and TCM
Acupuncture integrated into the treatment of chronic pain and of conditions that do not respond to conservative therapy.
Frequently asked questions
What is Dr Djordjevic's specialty?
He is a specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation FMH, with qualifications in manual medicine (SAMM), interventional pain therapy (SSIPM), ultrasound (SGUM) and acupuncture-TCM (ASA). He diagnoses and treats rheumatological diseases and chronic pain.
Can I book without going through my family doctor?
Yes. You can book directly. It helps to bring any reports, blood tests and X-ray images you already have: they help us set up the work-up straight away. The practice also accepts referrals and second-opinion requests via HIN.
What should I bring to my first visit?
Recent reports and test results, radiological images, your list of medicines and, if you have it, your health insurance card. Comfortable clothes help. If you are already under the care of other specialists, their reports help us frame the situation straight away.
What happens at the first consultation?
It includes history, clinical examination, musculoskeletal ultrasound if indicated (SGUM qualification, done at the practice) and a treatment plan. The ultrasound is non-invasive and does not hurt; any injection is decided together, never in the same session without discussing it. There is an in-house laboratory and collaboration with a large laboratory for rapid results on inflammatory markers and autoimmune profiles. Treatment may combine manual medicine, ultrasound-guided injections, laser therapy and acupuncture, according to the picture.
Do you offer hyaluronic acid or PRP injections?
Yes. Besides aspiration and injection of joints and soft tissues and spinal injections, the practice performs injections of hyaluronic acid and of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), prepared from the patient's own blood. PRP is suited to tendon, ligament and muscle injuries, inflammation where tendons attach to bone, and cartilage damage. Whether it is indicated is decided at the consultation, with ultrasound.
What is HUBER® 360 training?
Neuromuscular training on a motorised platform that moves along several axes. Sensors in the platform and the handles continuously measure the force applied, so the exercise adapts to the person. Under supervision, it helps to regain stability, strength, coordination and balance after an injury or surgery, and to keep the mobility that has been regained.
Is the treatment covered by insurance?
The practice is RME certified and, in Ticino, bills complementary insurers: with complementary insurance, under certain conditions, the treatment can be reimbursed. Patients with basic insurance only receive a clear cost estimate at the visit and pay directly.
Do you provide second opinions?
Yes, including on surgical indications and on assessments of work capacity. A second opinion is part of the rehabilitation path after accidents or surgery and of the discussion of a possible operation, without replacing the consultation with the doctor who is already looking after the patient.
Scientific sources
- Smolen JS, et al. EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis with synthetic and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: 2022 update. Ann Rheum Dis. 2023;82:3–18. doi:10.1136/ard-2022-223356
- Ramiro S, et al. ASAS-EULAR recommendations for the management of axial spondyloarthritis: 2022 update. Ann Rheum Dis. 2023;82:19–34. doi:10.1136/ard-2022-223296
- Gossec L, et al. EULAR recommendations for the management of psoriatic arthritis with pharmacological therapies: 2023 update. Ann Rheum Dis. 2024;83:706–719. doi:10.1136/ard-2024-225531
- Fanouriakis A, et al. EULAR recommendations for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus: 2023 update. Ann Rheum Dis. 2024;83:15–29. doi:10.1136/ard-2023-224762
- Kolasinski SL, et al. 2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation Guideline for the Management of Osteoarthritis of the Hand, Hip, and Knee. Arthritis Care Res. 2020;72:149–162. doi:10.1002/acr.24131
- Knezevic NN, et al. Low back pain. Lancet. 2021;398:78–92. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00733-9
- Katz JN, et al. Diagnosis and Management of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Review. JAMA. 2022;327:1688–1699. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.5921
- Lems WF, et al. EULAR/EFORT recommendations for management of patients older than 50 years with a fragility fracture and prevention of subsequent fractures. Ann Rheum Dis. 2017;76:802–810. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-210289
- Millar NL, et al. Tendinopathy. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2021;7:1. doi:10.1038/s41572-020-00234-1
- Aaron DL, et al. Four common types of bursitis: diagnosis and management. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2011;19:359–367. doi:10.5435/00124635-201106000-00006
- Macfarlane GJ, et al. EULAR revised recommendations for the management of fibromyalgia. Ann Rheum Dis. 2017;76:318–328. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-209724
- Richette P, et al. 2016 updated EULAR evidence-based recommendations for the management of gout. Ann Rheum Dis. 2017;76:29–42. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-209707
Not sure which treatment is right for you?
For musculoskeletal pain the practice follows several routes, often combined. The specialist visit, with ultrasound when needed, clarifies which one is indicated in your case.
Acupuncture
Needles, needle-free laser or ear acupuncture, performed by a specialist physician.
Interventional pain therapy
Ultrasound-guided injections of joints and soft tissues, with hyaluronic acid or PRP when indicated.
PRP for joints and tendons
Plasma prepared from the patient's own blood and injected into tendons and joints.
Laser therapy
Laser light applied locally, in the joint or in the bloodstream, without drugs.
The information on this page is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. The indication, expected benefits and risks of every treatment are assessed individually during the specialist consultation.
How to reach us
In Lugano, a short walk from USI and EOC
The practice is centrally located in Italian-speaking Switzerland, also reachable from Mendrisio, Bellinzona, Locarno and Chiasso, and is easy to reach from Italy, Milan, Como, Varese and Lombardy by car and by train.
By car: the practice's own car park is right in front. By public transport: a short walk from USI.
Address
Via Alessandro Volta 1
6900 Lugano
Opening hours
Monday and Wednesday 08:00–16:30
Friday 08:00–13:30