Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a type of autoimmune inflammatory arthritis. Inflammatory arthritis is where the immune system becomes overactive resulting in the destruction of healthy joint tissue as well as other organs in the body (e.g. eyes, heart, and skin to name a few). This inflammation affects the lining of your joints, causing pain and swelling that leads to deformity of the joints over time. 

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms may come and go. You may experience what we call “flare-ups” where pain and inflammation interfere with daily living, as well as periods of remission where decreased inflammation results in less pain. The most common symptoms of RA include:

• Swelling and tenderness of the joints, usually starting in the fingers and toes
• Stiffness of the joints
• Fatigue and fever, usually experienced during a flare-up

Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis can vary in severity and longevity from person to person which is why we focus on you as an individual and tailor treatments to your level of pain and progression of the condition.

Diagnosing and Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis

Early diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis are crucial as slowing disease activity can help reduce permanent joint damage and improve functionality. At Monarch Pain Management, we can assist in the diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis and work with your rheumatologist to develop an effective treatment plan to manage your pain and keep you active.

Treatment

At Monarch Pain Management, we help you manage your pain to keep you active and enjoying life.

Treatments include:

• Depending on the severity of your pain and swelling, we may start you on anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) such as Advil, Motrin, and Aleve that relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Other medications we may prescribe are known as DMARDs, which can slow the progression of RA and minimize joint and tissue damage.

• Corticosteroids such as Prednisone reduce inflammation and pain quickly. However, long-term use of steroid medications is not recommended and is typically prescribed for RA flare-ups to provide more immediate relief from joint pain and swelling. As severe symptoms subside, we taper the dosage to gradually stop the medication.

• Physical Therapy. Movement and flexibility can help ease some of your pain and joint inflammation. A physical therapist will work with you on gentle exercises.

Get Lasting Pain Relief for Your Rheumatoid Arthritis

Dr. Aaron Przybysz is a double-board certified pain management physician experienced in helping patients manage chronic pain conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis so that they can live an active and full life.

Schedule your appointment today and start living life fully again. Connect with us to book an appointment and reclaim your life with less pain.