Rheumatoid Arthritis

What is psoriatic arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis develops when your immune system attacks the synovium, which is the tissue that lines the inner surface of your joints. The synovium produces fluid that lubricates the joint and nourishes cartilage and bones.

As the synovium becomes inflamed, you develop swelling and pain. Over time, ongoing inflammation destroys cartilage and bone inside the joint, resulting in permanent damage and joint deformity.

What symptoms develop due to psoriatic arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis typically occurs in the same joints on both sides of your body. The disease often begins in the small joints of your fingers, wrists, toes, and feet. It then progresses to affect other joints such as your knees, elbows, shoulders, and hips.

Most patients go through cycles in which their symptoms flare up and then go into remission. You’ll experience symptoms such as:

• Swollen, painful small joints
• Limited joint movement
• Joint stiffness in the morning or after inactivity
• Fatigue

Joint stiffness in the morning lasts at least 1-2 hours, but it usually improves with movement. Prolonged stiffness after sleeping is one of the earliest signs of rheumatoid arthritis.

The inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis spreads beyond the joints to affect other parts of the body in about 40% of all patients. 

When this happens, you’ll develop additional symptoms, such as small lumps under your skin and dry eyes. You’re also at risk for serious complications in your lungs and cardiovascular system.

How is psoriatic arthritis treated?

Arthritis & Osteoporosis Center focuses on the early diagnosis and aggressive management of rheumatoid arthritis using a targeted approach. This involves medications to control inflammation and alter the autoimmune inflammatory cycle. 

There are many medications in this category. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids effectively reduce inflammation and relieve your pain. 

A group of medications called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) also relieve symptoms and do much more — they can slow or stop progressive joint damage.

Some medications are administered using an intravenous infusion. If you need this type of treatment, you can relax and get your treatment in their private infusion suite under the supervision of infusion-trained nurses and rheumatologists. 

In addition to medication, your treatment may include physical therapy so you can learn exercises to reduce pain, keep your joints flexible, and improve your range of motion.

The team moves quickly through these options until the disease remission is confirmed.

Early treatment for rheumatoid arthritis helps to improve your overall health and prevent disease progression. To schedule an appointment, call Arthritis & Osteoporosis Center.