Rheumatoid Arthritis

The joint becomes inflamed as it protects itself from an invading virus, and so the process begins leading to the following features.  Onset can be very acute (literally waking one morning with stiffness and pain), or can be slow and progressive.

• Pain (especially at rest)
• Heat  (joints may feel warm to touch due to the acute inflammation happening)
• Loss of joint movement and so it becomes difficult to function.
• Stiffness (especially in the morning of after a period of significant rest)
• Muscle wasting (around the affected joints)
• Deformity (from the damaged joints abnormal biomechanics)

• Clinical examination for joints affected.
• X-Ray will highlight the progression of the disease.
• Blood test will find evidence of inflammation.

• Management of inflammation using simple interventions like ice, or more specific one like corticosteroid injections into the affected joints.
• Physiotherapy to help with strength and aerobic capacity (both affected by Rheumatiod arthritis).
• Hydrotherapy can help although it must be appropriate for the patients state.

• Rotator cuff strengthening
• Pec stretch
• etc

PHYSIO     

MEDIC     

PODIATRY