Treatment Options for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis Medications

There are many medications for Rheumatoid arthritis. The first is an anti-rheumatic drug which modifies your disease. This is referred to as DMARD’s. These are the standard drug for Rheumatoid arthritis used in conjunction with rest, strengthening exercises, as well as anti-inflammatory drugs. Among these drugs the most commonly used to treat Rheumatoid arthritis is Methotrexate. The most common substitute for Methotrexate is Leflunomide. While on these drugs there can be serious side effects so it is important that frequent blood tests be taken.

Signs and Tests for Rheumatoid arthritis

There are signs and tests available to diagnose and treat Rheumatoid arthritis. There is a particular blood test which can be done in order to diagnose Rheumatoid arthritis. This blood test distinguishes Rheumatoid arthritis from other arthritis types. The test is referred to as the anti-CCP antibody test. There are other tests and signs which include a complete blood count tests, a C-reactive protein test, or an Erythrocyte sedimentation rate test. Other tests include an MRI, a joint ultrasound test, joint x-rays, synovial fluid analysis, as well as a Rheumatoid factor test which shows positive results for almost seventy-five percent of people who have the symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis. Once it has been diagnosed, regular urine and blood tests should be undertaken to gauge the progress of the medications and any potential side effects that new drugs have created.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain Management

There are quite a few interventional procedures that can provide relief for pain due to rheumatoid arthritis. This may include a steroid injection into a painful joint, or potentially a stem cell procedure. Also, pain cream may help provide relief or a TENS unit as well.

Physical Therapy for Rheumatoid arthritis

When treating Rheumatoid arthritis with physical therapy there are specific exercises used to delay any joint function loss. These exercises are prescribed by a physical therapist and include range-of-motions exercises. The techniques used to help protect the joints include heat treatments, cold treatments, as well as splints to support or align joints, or other orthotic devices to support the joints. There are times when special machines will be utilized by a therapist which apply electrical stimulation or deep heat to reduce the pain in joints while improving the mobility in the joints. If necessary, some occupational therapists can create splints to protect the joints in the hand and the wrist and protect those deeply affected by Rheumatoid arthritis. These allow people to cope better with day-to-day tasks in spite of Rheumatoid arthritis.

Premier Pain & Spine provides excellent relief procedures for those with rheumatoid arthritis and helps individuals often avoid the need for surgery. Call  us today!