Rheumatology for Gandhidham & All of Kutch

Rheumatology Department – Swasthya Hospital, Gandhidham

Assessment and long-term care for arthritis, gout, back pain and autoimmune conditions at Swasthya Hospital, Gandhidham. Dr. Devansh J. Khandol also visits Bhuj, Bhachau and Rapar, and consults online for patients across Kutch.

Contact the Hospital Call +91 81607 10208 Online Consultation

7 towns servedGandhidham, Adipur, Anjar, Bhuj, Bhachau, Rapar, Mundra

Rheumatology department, Gandhidham: anatomical models of a hand and a knee joint on a clean desk

Illustration generated with AI.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Devansh J. Khandol, MBBS, MD, FICC, FIGE, Reg. No. PG/G-39523 (Gujarat Medical Council) · Last updated 23 October 2026

What We Treat

Conditions the Rheumatology Department Treats

Swasthya Hospital's rheumatology department in Gandhidham checks and treats conditions that cause joint pain, swelling and stiffness, from rheumatoid arthritis and gout to back pain in young adults and autoimmune diseases such as lupus. Persistent joint pain deserves a proper diagnosis rather than months of over-the-counter painkillers. The department works from a 5-bed, 24×7 multispecialty hospital in Sector 1/A, Gandhidham, where Dr. Devansh J. Khandol is based. He also visits partner hospitals in Bhuj, Bhachau and Rapar, and patients from anywhere in Kutch can consult him in Gandhidham or online through Eka Care.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Autoimmune joint inflammation causing pain, swelling and morning stiffness, often in the hands and feet.

Osteoarthritis

Wear-related joint changes, especially in the knees, hips and hands.

Gout

Sudden, painful joint swelling caused by uric acid crystals, often in the big toe.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Inflammation of the spine and pelvic joints causing back pain and stiffness, usually starting in young adults.

Psoriatic Arthritis

Joint inflammation in people with psoriasis, sometimes with swollen fingers or toes.

Lupus (SLE)

An autoimmune disease that can affect the joints, skin, kidneys and other organs.

Sjögren's Syndrome

An autoimmune condition causing dry eyes, dry mouth and joint pain.

Fibromyalgia

Widespread muscle and joint pain with fatigue and poor sleep.

Vasculitis

Inflammation of blood vessels, with joint and whole-body symptoms.

Reactive Arthritis

Joint inflammation that follows an infection.

Choosing the Right Specialist

Rheumatologist or Orthopaedic Doctor: Who Should You See?

See a rheumatologist when joint pain may be caused by inflammation or the immune system: swelling in several joints, long morning stiffness, gout attacks, or joint pain with rashes or fever. See an orthopaedic doctor for injuries, fractures and structural problems that may need surgery. Many people need both at different stages.

A rheumatologist looks after

Inflammatory and autoimmune causes of joint pain
Diagnosis through examination, blood tests and imaging
Treatment mainly with medicines, exercise advice and monitoring
Long-term follow-up of chronic conditions

An orthopaedic doctor looks after

Injuries, fractures, ligament and tendon problems
Structural joint damage
Procedures and surgery such as joint replacement
Rehabilitation after surgery

Warning Signs

Signs It Is Time to See a Rheumatologist

Joint pain after a long day usually settles. These patterns are worth a specialist assessment:

Joint stiffness in the morning that lasts longer than 30 minutes (NHS, 2023)
Pain and swelling in the same joints on both sides of the body, often the small joints of the hands and feet (NHS, 2023)
A suddenly hot, swollen and very painful joint, such as the big toe (NHS, 2023)
Back pain and stiffness that began when you were a teenager or young adult (NHS, 2023)
Swollen fingers or toes, or nail pitting, if you have psoriasis (NHS, 2023)
Joint pain together with fever, rashes, mouth ulcers or unexplained weight loss

A joint that is suddenly hot, swollen and very painful together with a fever needs medical attention the same day. Swasthya Hospital in Gandhidham is open 24×7.

Diagnosis

How a Rheumatology Diagnosis Works

History and examination
The doctor asks when the pain started, which joints are involved, how long morning stiffness lasts and about skin, eye, bowel or other symptoms, then examines the joints.
Blood tests
Depending on the picture: ESR and CRP (inflammation), rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP, ANA and anti-dsDNA, uric acid and a complete blood count. Samples can be collected at the hospital, or at home in Gandhidham, Adipur and Anjar.
Imaging and joint fluid
X-ray, ultrasound or MRI is arranged by referral when needed, and joint fluid may be tested where indicated, for example to confirm gout.
A treatment plan
Results are interpreted together with your history, not in isolation, and you leave with a plan for medicines, exercise and follow-up.

Illustration of a healthy joint compared with an inflamed joint with a swollen lining

Illustration generated with AI.

Treatment

Treatment and Long-Term Follow-Up

Many rheumatic conditions are long-term, so the aim is to control inflammation early and protect the joints. For rheumatoid arthritis, disease-modifying medicines (DMARDs) such as methotrexate ease symptoms and slow the disease, but it can take a few months to notice them working, and methotrexate needs regular blood tests because it can affect blood cells and the liver (NHS, 2023).

Painkillers bought over the counter can hide symptoms without treating the cause. Anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs) can occasionally cause serious side effects, including stomach bleeding and kidney problems, and are not recommended together with some other medicines (NHS, 2026). Ask a doctor before taking them regularly.

For osteoarthritis, exercise and a healthy weight are central, and the WHO recommends reducing overuse of joints as part of prevention (WHO, 2023). Follow-up can be in person at the hospital, at a visiting OPD, or by online consultation.

Qualifications

Who Runs the Rheumatology Clinic

The rheumatology clinic is run by Dr. Devansh J. Khandol, a physician at Swasthya Hospital, Gandhidham. His qualifications and registration:

MBBSGCS Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Ahmedabad (2020)
MD, General MedicineDr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Pune (2025)
FellowshipsClinical Cardiology (Indian Association of Clinical Cardiologists); Gastroenterology; 2D Echocardiography (Sahyadri Hospital)
Rheumatology trainingObservership in Rheumatology, SVP Hospital, Ahmedabad
RegistrationReg. No. PG/G-39523, Gujarat Medical Council

Qualifications as listed on the hospital's own profile page. See the full profile of Dr. Devansh J. Khandol.

Areas We Serve

Rheumatology Care Across Kutch

The department works from the hospital in Gandhidham and holds visiting OPDs at partner hospitals in Bhuj, Bhachau and Rapar.

Town	Where	When
Gandhidham	Swasthya Hospital, Sector 1/A (Dr. Khandol's own hospital)	Monday to Sunday, 9 AM-9 PM; hospital open 24×7
Bhuj	MMPJ Hospital (visiting OPD)	1st Friday, 9 AM-12 PM
Bhachau	Vagad Welfare Hospital (visiting OPD)	1st & 3rd Wednesday, 12-2 PM
Rapar	Sushrusha Hospital (visiting OPD)	1st & 3rd Wednesday, 9-11 AM
Anywhere in Kutch	Online consultation through Eka Care	By appointment

One number for appointments at every location: +91 81607 10208.

Rheumatologist in GandhidhamMain hospital, 24×7 Rheumatologist in Adipur6 km away Rheumatologist in Anjar15 km away Rheumatologist in BhujMonthly visiting OPD Rheumatologist in BhachauTwice-monthly OPD Rheumatologist in RaparTwice-monthly OPD Rheumatologist in MundraGandhidham or online

Visit the Department

Where to Find Swasthya Hospital

Plot 374, Sector 1/A, Opp. Kutch Uday Press, Gayatri Mandir Road, Gandhidham

+91 81607 10208

frontdeskswasthyahospital@gmail.com

Consultations Monday to Sunday, 9 AM to 9 PM; open 24×7

Online consultation (Eka Care)

Questions About Rheumatology

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral to see the rheumatology department?

No referral is needed. Call +91 81607 10208 for appointments in Gandhidham or at any visiting OPD. Bring previous reports and a list of your medicines, including any painkillers bought from a pharmacy.

How long does rheumatoid arthritis treatment take to work?

Disease-modifying medicines can take a few months to show their effect, so it is important to keep taking them as advised and attend follow-up. Treatment is usually long-term.

Are pharmacy painkillers safe for long-standing joint pain?

They may ease pain for a short time but do not treat the cause, and anti-inflammatory painkillers can occasionally cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems. Ask a doctor before taking them regularly.

Can gout be treated at Swasthya Hospital?

Yes. Gout is assessed with uric acid and other tests, and treated with medicines for attacks, lifestyle advice and, where needed, long-term treatment to lower uric acid.

Can I consult online?

Yes. Dr. Khandol consults by video through his Eka Care page, for follow-ups and new non-emergency concerns. Joint problems often need an examination, so the doctor may ask you to come in person.

Which towns does the department serve?

Patients come from Gandhidham, Adipur, Anjar, Bhuj, Bhachau, Rapar, Mundra and the rest of Kutch. Dr. Khandol visits Bhuj, Bhachau and Rapar; patients from other towns consult in Gandhidham or online.

Questions About Joint Pain?

Contact the hospital to ask about rheumatology consultations for patients across Kutch: timings and visiting-OPD dates, or consult Dr. Khandol online through Eka Care. One number for every location.