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3 Common Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatments

Until today, the medical community cannot find any cure for rheumatoid arthritis but treatments are available. In addition, the doctors must cater the treatment according to the individual. It depends on the severity of the arthritis, other medical conditions, and lifestyle. Usually, it incorporates medical, social, and emotional support to provide a comprehensive care for the patient. The treatment aims to

• minimize arthritis pain and joint pain,
• prevent deformities and loss of joint function and
• support a productive and active life.

Usually the common rheumatoid arthritis treatments are medications, reduction in joint stress, and surgical intervention.

Medications For Rheumatoid Arthritis

Proper medication treatment can help to manage rheumatoid arthritis. Usually, the doctors will administer

• Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs),
• Analgesic Drugs,
• Glucocorticoids or Prednisone,
• Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs),
• Biological Response Modifiers and
• Protein-A Immuoadsorption Therapy.

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) help to lessen the inflammation and relieve pain. The common medications include aspirin, ibuprofen, indomethacin, and COX-2 inhibitors such as valdecoxib and celecoxib.

Analgesic Drugs can ease pain, but do not necessarily reduce inflammation. Some of these medications include acetaminophen, propoxyphene, mepeidine, and morphine.

Glucocorticoids or Prednisone requires prescription from doctors. These drugs in low maintenance doses can treat slow joint damage due to inflammation.

Usually you use Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) in conjunction with NSAIDs and prednisone on slow joint destruction due to prolonged rheumatoid arthritis. These drugs include methotrexate, injectable gold, penicillamine, azathioprine, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine, and oral gold.

Biological Response Modifiers curb proteins called cytokines, which are responsible for inflammation. These drugs include etanercept, infliximab, adaliumumab, and anakinra.

Protein-A Immuoadsorption Therapy is not a drug. It filters the blood to remove antibodies and immune complexes that contribute to inflammation.

Reduction in Joint Stress

You should maintain an ideal body weight. If you are overweight, you place unnecessary pressure on the musculoskeletal system. When you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, you should rest. You should refrain from vigorous activities because they can worsen the joint inflammation or cause a traumatic injury to weakened structures due to the inflammation. However, to avoid muscular atrophy and laxity, you should maintain a modest level of activity. You can reduce stress on certain joints by not moving the acutely inflamed joints especially at night and using walking aids such as canes or walkers. You can always seek advices from your therapist when the rheumatoid arthritis begins to set in.

Surgical Approaches

Surgery can be a difficult decision. If you decide to go through a surgery, you have to consider a few factors such as your motivation and goals, your ability to undergo rehabilitation, and your general medical status.

Synovectomy is one of the surgical methods. However, it only provides temporary relief for rheumatoid arthritis. It can effective on the wrist if you suffer from intense synovitis provided it persists more than six months in spite of medical treatments.

Other approaches such as joint arthroplasties of the knee, hip, wrist, and elbow prove to be successful. Arthroplasty of the MCP joints can also reduce pain and improve function. You can request for removal of symptomatic rheumatoid nodule, release of nerve entrapments such as carpal and tunnel syndrome, and arthroscopic procedures.

You should aware of the different rheumatoid arthritis treatments. Find out about the condition, the possibility of joint damage and disability, and the risks and benefits of available treatments. You should work together with your doctor to devise a long-term plan on how it can be treated effectively.