Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

The same levels of treatment as outlined for osteoarthritis can be used, but in addition and usually primarily, treatment is aimed at controlling the rheumatoid arthritis.  Rheumatoid arthritis is known as an autoimmune disease which means that the body?s tissue is reacting against itself.  A rheumatologist will normally oversee the treatment of rheumatoid using disease modifying drugs which may need to be regularly taken orally, injected or infused.  This treatment needs regular review to ensure that the body?s major organs continue to function well.

Surgery is again to stiffen or replace the joints although with rheumatoid arthritis the lining of the joint or synovium, is usually hyperactive and in some joints it is possible to remove the synovium to modify the disease.