Some 1.5 million Americans have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic and more serious form of osteoarthritis. While RA is not curable, there have been many advances in the treatment of it in recent years.  

Rheumatoid arthritis often worsens with age, so an early diagnosis is vital to getting control of the condition. A medical center like MidAmerica Orthopaedics, which specializes in the treatment of conditions like RA, will verify your diagnosis through a blood test, a physical exam and possibly an X-ray. But that is just the first step. A variety of treatment options are available, including: 

• Lifestyle changes 
• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDS) 
• Corticosteroid injections 
• Surgical treatment options  

Read more about the top treatments in use today: 

Emphasis on Lifestyle Changes to Reduce RA Symptoms 

Patients that make lifestyle changes may be able to minimize their symptoms to the point of remission. Some patients don’t respond well to drugs or prefer to try lifestyle changes first since medication can be a lifelong necessity. Your physician will likely start by finding out if you are getting enough sleep, following a healthy diet, and managing stress levels – all of which can reduce the severity of flare-ups.  

Diet and exercise are especially helpful in minimizing symptoms since excess weight can be hard on achy joints. Doctors and dieticians typically promote a healthy diet aimed at reducing inflammation throughout the body. To this end, the Arthritis Foundation recommends: 

• Lots of fruits and veggies 
• Fatty fish 
• Whole grains 
• Peas and beans 
• Nuts 
• Olive oil 

New Guidelines on DMARDs, Methotrexate, and Recommended RA Drug Treatments 

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs – or DMARDs – have long been considered the number one treatment for RA. While still important, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) issued updated guidelines in 2021 that emphasize the use of Methotrexate, an Immunosuppressive drug used to treat RA as well as psoriasis. There is more understanding of best practices for using these types of drugs, as well as a growing range of options to increase the patient’s success in using them. For instance, your orthopaedic physician might recommend pairing methotrexate with other DMARDs (as opposed to switching to something else) if your first experience with medication hasn’t been successful.  

NSAIDs and Minimized Use of Steroids (or Corticosteroid) for Rheumatoid Arthritis 

After lifestyle adjustments, your RA specialist might want to manage your symptoms with the help of inflammation-reducing corticosteroid injections. Steroid injections are commonly used to treat pain related to osteoarthritis in multiple areas of the body. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may require one of several types of steroid injections for treatment. For example, these injections may combine an inflammation-reducing steroid and an anesthetic numbing agent. This helps relieve pain through inflammation reduction caused by arthritis in smaller joints and tendons. 

However, you might also try NSAIDs – nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – which are among the most common and effective remedies for managing osteoarthritis pain. Even over-the-counter drugs like Aspirin and Ibuprofen can be effective in reducing pain and inflammation caused by arthritis. 

Surgical Options Used to Treat RA 

Due to the autoimmune nature of the disease, the primary path of treatment for RA is through non-surgical means. However, severe joint damage may require surgical intervention to prevent further damage, reduce pain, and improve your quality of life. Surgical treatment options for joint damage caused by RA may include: 

• Joint Repair: A minimally invasive surgery that smooths and realigns the joints in cases where the cartilage has been severely depleted.  
   
• Joint Fusion: In this procedure, the ends of bones are removed and realigned so that the new bones can knit together.  
   
• Joint Replacement. If a patient has severe joint damage, a total joint replacement may be necessary.  

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP therapy) 

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP therapy) is an experimental, non-surgical option for treating arthritis. This newer development can be a safe alternative for patients suffering from RA who haven’t responded well to other treatments, particularly those with severely affected hip joints. This therapy uses the patient’s own blood to alleviate pain. Ideally, the injection of white blood cells into damaged tissue helps remove damaged cells to hasten the healing process. 

Get a Proper Diagnosis from a Chicago-Area Facility Specializing in RA 

Anyone with RA will benefit from seeking both a diagnosis and treatment at a facility like MidAmerica that offers the most advanced diagnostic tools, as well as a team of experts to help treat this common condition. Our experts begin with a conservative approach before recommending more serious interventions. Your physician will discuss your personal goals with you and focus on helping you make any adjustments necessary so that you can experience your ideal lifestyle. 

Visit MidAmerica Orthopaedics online to learn more about what we have to offer. Call (708) 237-7200 to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists today.