Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

PHYSICAL THERAPY

Range-of-motion exercises and individualized exercise programs prescribed by a physical therapist can delay the loss of joint function.

Joint protection techniques, heat and cold treatments, and splints or orthotic devices to support and align joints may be very helpful.

Sometimes therapists will use special machines to apply deep heat or electrical stimulation to reduce pain and improve joint mobility.

Occupational therapists can construct splints for your hand and wrist, and teach you how to best protect and use your joints when they are affected by arthritis. They also show people how to better cope with day-to-day tasks at work and at home, despite limitations caused by RA.

Frequent rest periods between activities, as well as 8 to 10 hours of sleep per night, are recommended.

PROSORBA COLUMN

The Prosorba column is for the treatment of moderate to severe RA in adults with long-standing disease who have not responded to DMARDs. The device removes inflammatory antibodies from the blood. The procedure takes 2-3 hours, and must be done once a week for 12 weeks.

Studies have reported that RA slows down or stops getting worse in about one third to one half of the people who receive this treatment. Side effects include anemia, fatigue, fever, low blood pressure, and nausea. Some people have developed an infection from the tube used to remove the blood. Often there is a flare-up of joint pain for several days after the treatment.

For additional information and resources, see arthritis support group.

Regular blood or urine tests should be done to determine how well medications are working and if drugs are causing any side effects.

The course of RA differs from person to person. People with rheumatoid factor or subcutaneous nodules seem to have a more severe form of the disease. People who develop RA at younger ages also have a more rapidly progressive course.

Remission is most likely to occur in the first year. The probability decreases over time. By 10 to 15 years from diagnosis, about 20% of people have remission.