Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Knee
August 17th, 2009 by ZeroJointPainRheumatoid Arthritis Knee
- Most people associate with rheumatoid arthritis with joint pain and swelling in the hands, but it can affect many other areas of the body as well. One of the more painful and debilitating forms of rheumatoid arthritis affects the knee. Usually, rheumatic arthritis affects both sides of the body, so if it affects one knee it usually affects both of them. If the disease progresses, it can cause the knees to become so painful and stiff that it comes difficult or impossible to walk.
Rheumatoid Arthritis & Your Immune System
- While the most common form of arthritis, known as osteoarthritis, is caused by general “wear and tear,” rheumatoid arthritis is caused by a problem with the immune system. This means that it can occur even in very young people, although it tends to affect women more often than men. Also, some people may have a genetic predisposition for rheumatoid arthritis. Although some of the risk factors are known, the exact cause of the disease isn’t.
Symptoms?
- The symptoms of a rheumatoid arthritis knee include knee pain and swelling, stiffness, and eventually deformity. It can also cause problems in some of the body’s organs, including the heart and lungs. Finally, it may also cause other symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and various symptoms that could be mistaken for the flu.
Is there a cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis?
- There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, although with early and aggressive treatment the disorder can be managed to the point where it can be dealt with. Once the disease has been diagnosed through proper testing, a treatment course can be started. Treatments for a rheumatoid arthritis knee usually include a combination of various medicines.Regular exercise can also help keep the disorder manageable.
For advanced cases of the disease, surgery may need to be performed. Generally, this is performed only if other courses of treatment aren’t effective at reducing pain to a manageable level. Surgery usually involves completely replacing the knee with an artificial one. Another type of surgery involves replacing the joint lining that rheumatoid arthritis attacks. These surgeries have a fast recovery time, but the relief only lasts up to five years before the procedure must be performed again.
