Early rheumatoid arthritis can manifest itself in the form of recurrent mild pain in your smaller joints like fingers and may often go undetected during this stage. Fortunately, the Tampa rheumatoid arthritis specialists offer a wide range of treatments to alleviate your symptoms and restore your mobility.
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What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, autoimmune disorder that affects your joints, causing excruciating pain and immobility. It occurs when your immune system mistakenly launches an attack on your healthy body tissues. The condition can cause pain and discomfort in your ankles, feet, knees, hands, elbows, and wrists. If not treated, the disease may deteriorate and affect the functioning of other organs and systems like cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Unlike osteoarthritis, which causes wear and tear, rheumatoid arthritis attacks the lining of your joints, causing inflammation that may lead to bone erosion or even joint deformity.
What Are the Common Symptoms of Osteoarthritis?
Early rheumatoid arthritis usually affects small joints such as your fingers, and the symptoms may be mild compared to advanced arthritis. Some of the common signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include:
· General malaise.
· Fever.
· Weakness.
· Immobility or loss of joint function.
· Unexplained weight loss.
· Joint deformity.
· Excruciating joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.
The symptoms may come and go, making the condition undetectable until it is advanced. In most cases, you may assume that the joint pain is due to a cold, flu, or overtaxing your joints. As a complex disorder, rheumatoid arthritis may be difficult to diagnose. Dr. Miller is an experienced rheumatoid specialist who can assess your symptoms accurately and provide a proper diagnosis. The skilled team at the Osteoporosis and Rheumatology Center of Tampa Bay may request blood to reveal some information and also hold an in-depth discussion of your signs and symptoms to determine the cause of your pain. They may also recommend X-ray imaging, although in most cases, it may not be able to detect early rheumatoid arthritis.
What Are the Available Treatment Options for Rheumatoid Arthritis?
The available treatments usually focus on improving your symptoms and restoring joint function. In the recent past, rheumatoid arthritis was one of the most dreaded disorders, but technology has invented new cutting-edge treatments to help in managing the condition. The team at the Osteoporosis and Rheumatology Center of Tampa Bay may recommend disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs to slow down the progression of the condition while improving your symptoms. In the case of advanced rheumatoid arthritis, Dr. Miller may recommend a biologic response modifier. Some of the medications that may make up your treatment plan include:
· Leflunomide
· Methotrexate
· Infliximab
· Sulfasalazine
· Abatacept
· Minocycline
· Azathioprine
· Hydroxychloroquine
· Tocilizumab
· Certolizumab pegol
Dr. Miller may include some of these drugs in your therapy plan to shape your journey to recovery. It may take trial and error to determine the appropriate combination. Additionally, the team may offer counseling, surgery, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.
If rheumatoid arthritis is taking a toll on your life, call the Osteoporosis and Rheumatology Center of Tampa Bay or schedule an online appointment to begin your treatment.
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