What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints, including the hip and knee. The body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium (lining of the joints), leading to pain, swelling, and joint damage.
Symptoms
- Persistent joint pain and swelling
- Morning stiffness
- Fatigue and general malaise
- Deformed joints in advanced stages
Treatment
- Medications: Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologics to slow disease progression and manage symptoms.
- Physical Therapy: Exercises to maintain joint flexibility and muscle strength.
- Lifestyle Modifications: Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and quitting smoking.
- Injections: Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation.
- Surgery: Joint replacement surgery (hip or knee replacement) for severe cases with significant joint damage.
Recovery
Management focuses on controlling symptoms and preventing joint damage. Surgical recovery involves several months of physical therapy and rehabilitation to restore joint function and mobility.
