Muscle and myasthenia
What we do
We diagnose, treat and manage neuromuscular disorders including:
- genetic muscle conditions such as muscular dystrophies and metabolic muscle disease
- inflammatory muscle disease such as polymyositis and dermatomyositis
- myasthenia gravis
- Lambert Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS)
- muscle pain and cramps.
We work closely with other teams at King’s including cardiology, respiratory medicine and physiotherapy.
Our consultants have special interests in a number of areas including genetic muscle disease, myasthenia gravis, muscle conditions during pregnancy, inflammatory muscle disease, channelopathies (periodic paralysis and non-dystrophic myotonias) and the long-term management of chronic muscle disease.
Clinics
We run a morning outpatient clinic in which we diagnose new patients and advise them on managing their condition. We also see follow-up patients who need ongoing monitoring, treatment and advice.
We have an afternoon outpatient clinic for patients who have been diagnosed.
We also hold an afternoon outpatient muscle biopsy clinic.
Specialist clinics include:
- adult congenital myopathy
- Pompe disease
Preparing for your appointment
If you have previously been seen in another hospital, please bring to your appointment at King’s copies of any letters and results.
Location
First floor, Willowfield Building, King’s College Hospital, Bessemer Road, SE5 9BG
Contact Details
- Neuromuscular Office: 020 3299 8343
- Neuromuscular Office: [email protected]
Conditions we treat
We diagnose and treat a range of conditions including:
- genetic muscle disease, including muscular dystrophies, myotonic dystrophies, non-dystrophic myotonias, periodic paralysis and metabolic muscle disease
- inflammatory muscle disease, including polymyositis and dermatomyositis
- myasthenia gravis
- congenital myasthenic syndromes
- Lambert Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS)
- unexplained high creatine kinase levels
- muscle pain and cramps.
We do not see patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (myalgic encephalomyelitis) except as tertiary referrals from CFS clinics or where an alternative muscle or myasthenia condition is suspected.
Direct referral for muscle biopsy is limited to consultant requests.
What is required before referring a patient
In cases of unexplained high creatine kinase we require details of all previous creatine kinase levels, thyroid function, and a detailed dated drug history, particularly where statins have been used.
Booking a patient at King’s
Routine Referrals
Routine referrals should be made in writing to:
Dr F Norwood or Dr M Rose, Consultant Neurologists
9th Floor, Ruskin Wing
King’s College Hospital
Denmark Hill
London SE5 9RS
For queries about routine referrals, phone 020 3299 8343 or email [email protected]
Emergency Referrals
During office hours, tel 020 3299 8343.
Outside office hours, contact the on-call neurology registrar via King’s main switchboard on 020 3299 9000.
Other Queries
If you have an enquiry about a particular muscle condition or similar matter, phone 020 3299 8343 or email [email protected] and leave a message. Either Dr Norwood or Dr Rose will respond when they are next at King’s.
Key Clinical Staff
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Dr Fiona Norwood | Consultant Neurologist |
| Ms Xia Zhou | Myasthenia Gravis Nurse Specialist |