Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis: Physical Therapy and Surgery

By having occupational and physical therapy, the patients are trained to protect and keep the flexibility of their joints. Most people with rheumatoid arthritis face the fact that they have limited mobility and physical strength. If it’s not treated properly, the patients are risking their quality of life. In this case, the therapist may suggest alternative ways to do daily tasks effectively, with less impact on the joints. Assistive devices can help the patients work more comfortably. It also prevents excess stress on joints that can add the severity of the disease. In addition, weight management should be taken seriously to relieve damaging pressure on joints (especially on knees and hips).

The key of rheumatoid arthritis treatments is to start early. Early treatments can often mean less joint damage and less pain. In the personal level, the patients should keep their motivation high. It is important to do routine exercise. The point is to keep the body or joints moving. Proper exercise can maintain joint flexibility, increase range of movement, reduce fatigue and lessen pain. Health professionals can show the correct exercises for arthritis that can improve the range-of-motion and strengthen the muscles.

Doctor may suggest surgery when the joint damage is severe and the patients do not respond to medications and physical therapies. It can correct deformities, reduce pain, and restore patient’s ability to use the joint. There are some procedures in rheumatoid arthritis surgery, such as:

• Total joint replacement. During joint replacement surgery, the surgeon removes the damaged parts of the joint and inserts a prosthesis made of metal and plastic.
• Joint fusion. Surgically fusing a joint may be recommended to stabilize or realign a joint and for pain relief when a joint replacement isn’t an option.
• Tendon repair. Inflammation and joint damage may cause tendons around the joint to loosen or rupture. Surgeon may be able to repair the tendons around the joint.

 

Read also: Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis: Medications