Treatment Options for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis affects an estimated 1.3 million adults in the country. Performing daily activities with this disease can be a struggle and the condition can get worse if not handled effectively. It is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the body. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system primarily attacks the joints. It is a systemic disorder that affects other organs in the body such as the heart, eyes, and lungs due to inflammation. It is can be very painful and can affect the quality of life. Treatment options are tailored to each patient; however, the main goals of these treatments are to
- Improve physical function
- Reduce pain
- Reduce fatigue
- To eliminate tenderness and swelling
- Reduce flare-ups
Treatments options to manage rheumatoid arthritis
There are several ways to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Disease-modifying medications are used to treat this autoimmune disease. These medications change the course of the disease and prevent erosions in the joints and permanent damage. These are key medications to get started to ease discomfort associated with early signs of rheumatoid arthritis. There are two main types under this treatment method.
- Conventional oral disease-modifying medications
- Biologic disease-modifying medications
Some of the common medicines used to treat discomfort at the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis are sulfasalazine, methotrexate, and leflunomide. These medications work by modulating the immune system to reduce its activeness in damaging the joints. These medications need to be taken only when prescribed by a specialist as it has some side effects. Regular blood tests need to be done while on these medications to check liver functions and blood counts. These medications play an important role in reducing discomfort associated with early signs of rheumatoid arthritis.
The other main class of medications to improve help improve rheumatoid arthritis are biologic disease-modifying medications. The main category of these medications is TNF inhibitors that block an inflammatory protein called TNF. They are only available in an injection or infusion form. Abatacept is another medication that helps prevent the hyperactivation of T cells. These medications work by turning down responses that are too active in rheumatoid arthritis. This helps in reducing swelling in joints and tissue damage. There are side effects associated with these medications such as blood clots in the lungs.
Other treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis
Surgery
When medications fail to work, surgery is required to repair the damaged joints.
Synovectomy
In this procedure, the swollen lining of the joint called synovium is eradicated from knees, shoulders, fingers, etc.
Tendon repair
Tendons around the joints begin to rupture due to inflammation in joints. Surgery is required to correct the texture of tendons.
Joint fusion
When patients cannot undergo joint replacement surgery, they are advised to undergo joint fusion to ease pain and discomfort caused during rheumatoid arthritis.
Joint replacement surgery
The damaged joints are replaced with prosthetic joints made of plastic or metal in this surgery.
