Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder that can cause joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. Alone, it can be a difficult condition to manage. That’s why individuals who have RA should seek professional treatment. Without it, patients with this condition could eventually lose function or become disabled.
An orthopedic doctor is a joint specialist who is trained to treat patients with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. It’s important to get advice from a specialist who understands the complexities of this condition in order to find relief and reduce long-term damage.
In this article, we will discuss how orthopedic doctors help patients with RA.
Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Hand
The joints in the hands are most commonly affected by rheumatoid arthritis. While there may be no cure for the chronic disease, your symptoms can improve and you can feel better with regular treatment. Orthopedic doctors use different techniques to help alleviate the symptoms of RA and slow the damage caused by this disease.
Depending on how severe your case is, a joint specialist may recommend the following:
- Medications, such as anti-inflammatory drugs or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) can help reduce inflammation in affected joints, which reduces pain levels and helps prevent further damage from occurring.
- Injection therapies may also be part of RA treatment. Corticosteroids such as prednisone or methylprednisolone can be injected for quick relief from symptoms. This type of injection may also help slow down disease progression by suppressing the immune system’s response that causes inflammation in the joints. Hyaluronic acid injections may also be given to increase lubrication in joints, allowing them to move more freely with less stiffness and pain. In some cases, biological agents such as Enbrel (etanercept) or Humira (adalimumab) can also be administered through injections for long-term symptom management.
- Physical therapy exercises designed specifically for those suffering from RA in the hands can help strengthen muscles surrounding joints while increasing flexibility at joint sites. Hand therapy, which is a focused form of therapy for the hands, provides great relief and helps improve function.
- Occupational therapy may be recommended, too. This focuses on improving everyday activities like writing or opening jars by using adaptive devices, such as splints, and enlarged handles or grip aids, when possible.
- Surgery may be recommended if the joints in the hands can benefit from reconstruction or joint replacement to repair or replace the damaged joints, or repair tendon tears and remove inflamed synovium and bone spurs.
A joint specialist will work closely with you to develop an individualized treatment plan that meets your needs to control symptoms and restore hand function.
Hand Doctor in Lutherville, Maryland
The orthopedic doctors at Greater Chesapeake Hand-to-Shoulder specialize in hand-to-shoulder treatments that can be life-changing for patients who are suffering from chronic pain, stiffness, swelling, and limited range of motion.
Our hand doctors are compassionate and understand the effects of losing function in the hands, which is why our treatment plans are made according to every patient’s unique needs. We treat our patients with respect and work hard to give them the best outcomes.
To schedule an appointment with one of our hand specialists, call our office today at (410) 296-6232 or use our convenient online request form.
