Clinics and Services
Clinical Services
Joint Injections
Intra-articular joint injections with long-acting corticosteroids are available in the procedure room within the clinic space. These can be done with topical and subcutaneous analgesia. For multiple joint injections and those requiring deeper sedation, anesthesia services are available on the Children’s of Alabama campus at the Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children.
Orthopedic surgery colleagues are available for radiographically-guided deep joint corticosteroid injections (hip, sacroiliac, subtalar, shoulder). Temporomandibular joint corticosteroid injections are performed under general anesthesia at UAB by Dr. Peter Waite and colleagues in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
Radiographic Imaging
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) MRI Imaging can be scheduled in advance with or without sedation at Children's of Alabama or at Children's South, 1940 Elmer J. Bissell Road, Birmingham, AL 35243.
X-ray imaging
Same day X-rays are available in Children's Park Place near Pediatric Rheumatology clinic.
Phlebotomy
Blood drawing services by those skilled in dealing with children are available in Children's Park Place near the Pediatric Rheumatology clinic.
Infusion Center
Contact phone number: 205-638-7084
A dedicated 7-bed infusion suite is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. for monitored infusions of a variety of anti-rheumatic intravenous therapies, including:
Infliximab (Remicade) – 2 hour infusion (plan for a 3–4 hour stay)
Abatacept (Orencia) – 30 minute infusion (plan for a 1–1/2 hour stay)
Rituximab (Rituxan) – 5-7 hour infusion, depending on size of child
Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) – 5 hour infusion (plan for a 6–7 hour stay)
Methylprednisolone (Solumedrol) – 1 hour infusion (plan for 1–1/2 hour stay)
Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) – 2–7 hour infusion, depending on dose,
What to know:
- One parent is allowed per child
- Parent is to remain with child
- Importance of keeping appointments (See contracts below)
- No siblings will be allowed
- Length of infusions (see medication list above)
- Suggested items to bring include books, hand held video games, laptop computers, and homework
Contract for keeping appointments:
Contract in English
Centro de Tratamiento de Infusión de Park Place
Pediatric Spondyloarthritis Clinic
The Pediatric Spondyloarthritis Clinic at Children’s of Alabama provides continuity of care for children diagnosed with juvenile spondyloarthritis, a subset of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Spondyloarthritis is an inflammatory rheumatic disease that involves both the joints and the sites where the ligaments and tendons attach to the bonesediatric rheumatologist Matthew Stoll, M.D., Ph.D., directs the weekly clinic. Currently, more than150 children are being treated for spondyloarthritis at Children’s.
Children who are referred to the Spondyloarthritis Clinic benefit from continuity of care from a physician with targeted clinical expertise in this area. Treatment regimens include both conventional therapeutic drugs and newer biologic therapies. Patients are also able to participate in research that will help advance understanding of pediatric spondyloarthritis. In addition, the clinic provides screening and treatment specifically for temporomandibular joint arthritis (TMJ.)
To be evaluated by Dr. Stoll, please contact the office at 205-638-9438.
The Bridge to Adult Care from Childhood for Young Adults with Rheumatic Disease (BACC YARD) Program
The BACC YARD Program provides continuity of care for young adults diagnosed with childhood rheumatic disease. This program helps to provide optimal care for patients as they transition from pediatric rheumatology providers at Children’s of Alabama to adult rheumatology providers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Kirklin clinic. The BACC YARD Program started in July 2020 to help with the transition to adult care, which can be difficult for both patients and families due to changes in insurance, changing family dynamics, and entrance into adulthood. The BACC YARD Program helps coordinate services and treatments for patients with arthritis and other rheumatic conditions of childhood, including juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), systemic lupus erythematosus, other connective tissue disorders, and autoinflammatory disorders.
If you are interested in transitioning to adult care through the BACC YARD Program, please discuss with your pediatric rheumatologist or call the office at 205-638-9438.
