Understanding HIP Pain
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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s natural immune response attacks the lining of the joints (called the synovium), causing chronic inflammation and pain. The inflammation may eventually damage the joint’s cartilage and bone, weaken the soft tissue around the joint (cartilage, ligaments and tendons) and prevent the joint from working properly.
Left untreated, RA can greatly reduce your quality of life. You may have already decreased your activity level to avoid the pain caused by a joint affected by RA. It’s not uncommon for the joint damage caused by RA to lead to a loss of movement, an inability to work, and even the need for surgery to repair the damage.
Left untreated, RA can greatly reduce your quality of life. You may have already decreased your activity level to avoid the pain caused by a joint affected by RA. It’s not uncommon for the joint damage caused by RA to lead to a loss of movement, an inability to work, and even the need for surgery to repair the damage.
What Are The Symptoms of RA?
RA is a chronic, persistent disease that can take a variable course over an affected person’s lifetime. It may progress slowly, sometimes produce “flare ups”, and then at times go into “remission” during which the symptoms may greatly diminish or disappear. There are 3 stages of RA identified by specific symptoms. In the first stage, RA causes pain, warmth, redness and swelling in affected joints. In the second stage, it causes thickening of the synovium. In the third stage, permanent joint damage begins to occur as bone and cartilage are attacked by the enzymes released by the inflamed cells in the once-healthy synovial fluid.
In addition to joint pain, swelling and stiffness, the symptoms of RA commonly include fatigue, weakness, flu-like symptoms accompanied by a low-grade fever, loss of appetite, depression, chronic dry eye or dry mouth and, in people with more advanced RA, bumps (called rheumatoid nodules) under the skin.
In addition to joint pain, swelling and stiffness, the symptoms of RA commonly include fatigue, weakness, flu-like symptoms accompanied by a low-grade fever, loss of appetite, depression, chronic dry eye or dry mouth and, in people with more advanced RA, bumps (called rheumatoid nodules) under the skin.
How is RA Treated?
Your primary doctor will refer you to a rheumatologist, a doctor who specializes in inflammatory diseases like RA. Your rheumatologist may recommend different treatment options depending on the severity of your RA and its impact on your joint(s) and your body as a whole. And while there is no cure, RA can be controlled through the use of new drugs, exercise, and self-management techniques.
If your RA is so severe that conservative treatment options are no longer managing your symptoms to meet your activity goals, joint replacement may be an option. Some treatment options, such as partial hip replacement, are not indicated for patients with RA because the underlying disorder will inevitably affect the other native parts of the hip. Dr. Fischer will work with you and your other physicians to develop an individual treatment plan
If your RA is so severe that conservative treatment options are no longer managing your symptoms to meet your activity goals, joint replacement may be an option. Some treatment options, such as partial hip replacement, are not indicated for patients with RA because the underlying disorder will inevitably affect the other native parts of the hip. Dr. Fischer will work with you and your other physicians to develop an individual treatment plan
