autoimmune disease blog

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease. It can happen to anybody with any ages and any tribes. Commonly occurs in symmetrical pattern and may affect both of knees. Rheumatoid arthritis is a severe type of inflammatory arthritis that affects 1.3 million people in American and 75% among them are women.

The disease can cause severe joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and deformity. It may also impact to other organs and tissues such as the skin, heart, and lungs. It can also cause fatigue, flu-like symptoms, fever, and weight loss. For people with rheumatoid arthritis it would be painful to tying shoelaces, getting dressed or walking to the next room.

What is knee rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis of the knee leads the joints to become tender, warm, and swollen. Normally, a small sac covered with a thin layer tissue named synovium. The tissue lies between materials that cover the ends of joint bones called cartilage. The main purpose of cartilage is to maintain the bones from rubbing against each other during movement.

Inflammation of the synovium leads to damage and permanent destruction of the joint. The synovium secretes a liquid to helps keep joints lubricated. When joints are well lubricated, they move painlessly and smoothly.

What are the symptoms?

Someone with the disease may feel the following symptoms:

• Swelling around knee
• Pain caused by inflammation
• Stiffness
• Fever
• Warmth around the knee joints
• Fatigue
• Flu-like symptoms

What the causes?

Rheumatoid arthritis may be linked to genetics. Environmental factors also may be involved. But, experts are unsure of the exact cause. The actual causes of the disease are not understood. We know that it occurs when the body’s own immune system doesn’t function properly.

How to diagnose?

Rheumatologist can diagnose rheumatoid arthritis of the knee using do some physical exam, talk with the patient about personal and patient family medical history, and perform blood tests for further analysis.

Rheumatologist may recommend an X-ray of the joints. An MRI may also be used to detect evidence of joint damage or destruction. The doctor may also withdraw a sample of joint fluid (synovial fluid) to analyze.

What is the Treatment?

The best treatment for rheumatoid arthritis of the knee is early and aggressive medical care. Medical treatments include the use of DMARDs, which are used with NSAIDs and or steroids in low doses.

Along with early and aggressive medical therapy, regular exercise is important. Exercise helps strengthen the muscles around the knee and helps support the joint. Sometimes physical therapy and occupational therapy are recommended.

At some point, total joint replacement may be performed. This surgery is usually a “last resort” instead of the first treatment option for knee rheumatoid arthritis. Today’s advances in total joint replacement give a successful outcome in most cases.

Synovectomy is another procedure that’s performed in rheumatoid arthritis. With synovectomy, the surgeon removes the inflamed synovium or joint lining. Synovectomy can be done as an open procedure or by arthroscopy. In general, arthroscopic procedures are associated with fewer complications and faster recovery than a more invasive surgery.