$Unique_ID{BRK02355} $Pretitle{} $Title{Are All the Tests and Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis Needed?} $Subject{rheumatoid arthritis ra tests treatments stiff joints stiffness hands swelling fingers anti-inflammatory medication medications surgery deformans atrophic autoimmune reaction synovial membrane lining inflammation fluid ankylosis musculoskeletal system connective tissue treatment joint stiffening} $Volume{M-17,R-17} $Log{ Rheumatoid Arthritis*0001703.scf Progressive Levels of Arthritis*0005601.scf} Copyright (c) 1992,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc. Are All the Tests and Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis Needed? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ QUESTION: My sister has been told she has rheumatoid arthritis. From her story, the doctor is treating this like a disease with dire consequences, and is ordering all types of tests and treatments. Is all of this necessary? I want to be a help to my sister and so need to know more. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ANSWER: I'm not sure by what you mean by "dire." It is not a disease to be ignored, because treatment as soon as possible lessens the damage it does. Another reason for accurate diagnosis is because the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are often confused with the symptoms of other diseases that also require early treatment. Aching, stiff joints may signal a host of illnesses. The alert physician will be sure to follow up on this, striving for a clear and accurate diagnosis. There are many kinds of arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis is only one of them. Rheumatoid arthritis is seen more often in women than men, and it most often starts between the ages of 30 and 50. The first indication may be a stiffness in the hands in the morning, which is relieved after about 30 minutes of activity. Swelling around the joints of the fingers is a sign that shouldn't be ignored, and some people have hardened knots on their joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed by blood tests, analysis of the fluid in the joints, and x-rays. Continuous communication between your sister and her doctor will help in the diagnosis, because rheumatoid arthritis often starts out with just some vague aches, difficult to describe or pinpoint. Her doctor may be watching for further development of symptoms, keeping an eye out for subtle changes in movement and strength. It's not uncommon for patients experiencing the first aches of arthritis to become frustrated when their doctor orders many tests to establish a "baseline", or level of findings that will be used to judge just how much the disease is progressing. When the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is made, treatment may start simply with aspirin, for it is an effective anti-inflammatory. Additional medications are gradually added to the treatment as necessary. Also, we now know that it may be wise to do surgery on joints affected by arthritis at an earlier stage, before the joints and surrounding tissue are badly damaged by the disease. Surgery was once reserved for only the very severe, advanced case of arthritis. This is no longer the case, and new artificial joints and microsurgical techniques are making surgery safer and more successful. Surgery should, however, be delayed until more conservative treatment like medication and physical therapy is tried. New methods and equipment for physical therapy have aided the arthritis patient, and a good physical therapy program should be part of arthritis treatment for most people. Because arthritis is a chronic, painful and frustrating disease, its victims fall prey to a particularly distressing situation. They become victims for a second time, to the exploitation by promoters of quackery. The promise of a quick cure and the end to pain is difficult to resist when one is suffering, but caution is a must. Some of these "cures" are inexpensive and harmless, but many are very expensive and may be harmful. In any case, do not delay medical treatment while folk or unproven remedies are tried. You'll be performing an enormous service to your sister if you stay informed, support her emotionally, and prevent her from straying off into ineffective and dangerous therapies. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.