PortPrivate

10/04/2026

I was very privileged to take part in 2 days of intensive Rheumatology Ultrasound training in Tallaght Hospital Dublin in conjunction with EFSUMB (European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology) and EULAR (the representative body for all
Rheumatology societies in Europe)

As the only GP amongst a delegation of 24 Rheumatologists this was a wonderful learning experience to further my knowledge in diagnostic ultrasound

Ultrasound has a key role in arthritis care providing early and more rapid non-invasive diagnosis
and leading to earlier appropriate treatment and improved patient outcome

With special thanks to Professor David Kane, Dr Michelle McHenry and Dr Ronan Mullan for their expert teaching across the 2 days.

17/02/2026

Thumb arthritis is a very common cause of everyday pains.
A steroid injection can help settle these symptoms considerably.
Dr Campbell visualises the narrowed joint space using ultrasound guidance and, targets the injection directly to the source of pain.
PortPrivate provides injections at a fraction of the price of local private hospitals and patients do not require a Doctor's referral.
Click the link below to find out more

https://www.PortPrivate.co.uk

16/02/2026

If you’ve returned with a painful joint from the amazing European snow or, are just about to travel, an Ultrasound guided injection could help ease the pain considerably.
Get in touch today to find out what services PortPrivate provide, and, at a fraction of the cost of local private hospitals

02/01/2025

Did you know that January is the busiest month of the year for people to join gyms!
Whether it’s New Year resolutions or pre-season training many old injuries can resurface and delay the most well intentioned plans.

Dr Campbell has over 20 years of experience diagnosing and managing these painful conditions, and providing a variety of injection therapies to help get your plans back on track.

Dr Campbell offers accessible appointments each week in Portstewart, with costs less than half of those in local private hospitals.

Contact PortPrivate today for a rapid access opinion and Spring into Summer!

Simply visit the website booking page, https://portprivate.co.uk/contact/ or, call 07577334531.

23/02/2024

Spring is just around the corner and many outdoor sports will soon begin their seasons in earnest. Pre-season training can often reignite old injuries causing unwanted delays to well-intentioned plans, or, simply make older joints feel like a rusty hinge!

With over 20 years experience diagnosing and managing these painful conditions, Dr Campbell can advise on exercise modification or, if needed, provide a variety of injections therapies to help keep your plans on track.
Dr Campbell aims to see patients within a week and prices are less than half of those with our local private hospitals.
Contact PortPrivate today for a rapid access opinion and Spring into Summer!

Simply visit the website booking page, https://portprivate.co.uk/contact/ or, call 07577334531.

24/01/2024

At PortPrivate, lots of patients ask us about getting injections prior to their holidays. Typical examples include knee pain when going skiing, walking or cycling, or shoulder pains if golfing, swimming or sailing.
Steroid, Hyaluronic acid and PRP injections are safe, effective and established methods of providing excellent pain relief directly to the affected area allowing you to exercise and relax in a more comfortable and positive way.

If you wish to have an injection before your holiday this year, we recommend planning ahead. We advise leaving a minimum of 2 weeks between the date of any injection and starting your trip, and, we aim to see patients within 48 hours of their call.

Contact us for an appointment by visiting https://portprivate.co.uk/contact/ or, by calling 07577334531

11/12/2023

Degenerative meniscal tears are an unfortunate but natural part of getting older for most people. There are 2 c-shaped menisci (cartilage) in the knee which dry and stiffen over time.

The combination of drying cartilage surfaces and gradual loss of natural joint lubricants (synovial fluid) causes tears to occur on the cartilage surface or occasionally deeper tears through several cartilage layers.

Over 35% of persons over 50 can be affected (24% of these do not have arthritis changes on X-rays), with men more commonly affected than women.

Tears can occur due to a sudden twisting movement or through repetitive kneeling or heavy lifting. Poor lower limb strength or sudden increases in training volumes or intensity can increase the risks of this occurring, as can carrying too much weight.

Degenerative meniscal tears cause swelling and pain which can take up to 6 months to settle however, injections into the affected joint can help settle the pain within a few days or weeks.

Occasionally a deeper tear can occur through several layers producing a meniscal flap or foreign body within the joint. In these cases the knee can lock or give way and may require surgical repair via arthroscopy (keyhole surgery). However, the need for surgery is less common if arthritis changes are present on X-ray

At PortPrivate we have over 20 years experience in assessing these painful and problematic conditions and can advise on the most appropriate option to help get you back on your feet.

Convenient daytime and evening appointment slots are available each week.
Simply visit the website booking page, https://portprivate.co.uk/contact/ or, call 07577334531

24/11/2023

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a wear-and-tear type of degenerative arthritis that occurs most often in people over 50 years of age, although it may occur in younger people too.

In the knee, cartilage gradually wears away becoming frayed and uneven, reducing the space between the bones. In severe OA the space can reduce completely causing the bones to rub together, leading to pain and remodelling of the bony surface. This can affect any or all of the 3 knee compartments.

Improving leg strength and reducing weight often help ease these pains but, these improvements are sometimes difficult to maintain.

Injection therapies can help provide many months of pain relief, allowing patients to increase their activity levels again, or, reduce the burden of taking oral medications. A joint injection can provide significant relief when taking a much needed holiday or when attending an important family event.

At PortPrivate we provide 3 different injection therapies, each with unique benefits and uses.

- Steroid (cortisone) injections provide a dose of anti-inflammatory directly into the joint.

- Hyaluronic acid can provide a layering of cushioning within the joint space similar to the body’s natural lubricant, synovial fluid.

- PRP use the body’s own blood cells to accelerate healing at the degenerative joint surfaces.

Contact us today to discuss the option most suitable for you.

Convenient daytime and evening appointment slots are available each week, avoiding lengthy waiting times.
Visit the website booking page, https://portprivate.co.uk/contact/ or, call 07577334531.

23/11/2023

Examples of non-traumatic shoulder pain include frozen shoulder, subacromial bursitis, osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral or AC joint, and rotator cuff tendinopathy.

At PortPrivate we have over 20 years of experience in assessing, diagnosing and treating the variety of conditions which can cause shoulder pains.

We can arrange onward referrals for any imaging required and have experience performing pain-relieving injections using the most appropriate injection methods and materials

Contact us by phone, email, DM or via the website for further information or, to book a rapid access appointment.

22/11/2023

TRIGGER FINGER

This painful and bothersome diagnosis occurs most commonly in the ring finger but can affect any finger and also the thumb. It is more common in Diabetics or patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and also with persons who use repetitive gripping actions in their work or hobbies.

Thickening of the flexor tendon sheath causes the tendon to catch and lock in a bent position. A small lump (or nodule) develops at the base of the finger on the palmar aspect of the hand, on the flexor tendon sheath.

The nodule causes the finger to become stuck in a bent position when gripping or closing the hand. The finger releases with a sudden (often painful) click, hence the name.

Diagnosis is made clinically but it is important to get an accurate diagnosis since other conditions can present with similar symptoms.

A steroid injection into the tendon sheath at the base of the affected digit can help relieve the pain and locking. Occasionally a second injection may be required after a few months. Steroid injections can fully resolve around 50% of cases without having to resort to surgery.

Contact us today to arrange a rapid access appointment to help with this painful and debilitating condition

11/11/2023

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) can be an extremely painful and debilitating condition occurring at a variety of life stages but more commonly in females in their 50’s and 60’s. CTS is more likely to occur in certain medical (e.g. Rheumatoid Arthritis) and physiological conditions (e.g. pregnancy), occupations (e.g. manual labourers, typists) and sports (e.g. rowers, cyclists).

In CTS the Median nerve becomes compressed within the wrist, causing pins and needles or pain from the wrist into the whole hand, but, most commonly affects the thumb, index and middle fingers. Patients often wake at night, shaking the affected hand to settle their symptoms.

Diagnosis is normally made clinically and a single steroid injection can provide significant relief, often permanently. CTS does not respond well to oral medications but activity modification, and night splints can also help.

At PortPrivate we have over 20 years of experience managing CTS and have successfully performed hundreds of Carpal Tunnel injections.

Booking a consultation couldn’t be easier:
Call: 075773345311
Email: portprivatemsk@gmail.com
Website: https://www.portprivate.co.uk

Private GP service in Portstewart providing comprehensive Orthopaedic assessment and injections for a variety of painful joints using steroid (cortisone) and Hyaluronic Acid (Durolane). Body parts include knee, shoulder, wrist, hand and feet