Providing specialized orthopedic care at six convenient locations across Northeast Wisconsin. Click to find a location near you.
(920) 560-1000
Upcoming Events News & Blog Medical Mentoring Sponsorships

Fast Facts About Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis

When it comes to hip replacement, Fox Valley residents from Green Bay to Oshkosh might require one as the result of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of arthritis characterized by inflammation. It is also often classified as an autoimmune disease. The joints and surrounding tissues are mistakenly attacked by the body which can result in significant damage. In addition to joint damage, other areas of the body can also be affected, such as the skin, lungs, heart, eyes, and blood vessels. Knowing more about the treatment options makes it easier to take charge of your health.

Therapy Options

Certain types of therapy might be helpful to aid you in increasing your well-being. Occupational and physical therapy are the most common options. They can help you to better cope with your symptoms and work to enhance your overall mobility. Your doctor might also suggest a type of assistive device, such as a cane or walker, to make getting around a little easier.

Medications

There are several medications your doctor might recommend for treating this condition. NSAIDs are among the most popular since they help to calm the inflammation that is the hallmark of the disease. Steroids are also popular and they work in a similar manner to help reduce inflammation. Oral corticosteroids are the most common, but in some cases, an injectable form or an IV infusion might be recommended when inflammation levels are particularly high.

Biologic agents are another type of drug your doctor might recommend and they are a new class of drugs. They work on your immune system to help to alleviate inflammation in the body. They are almost always used with methotrexate or another type of DMARD drugs.

DMARDs are another popular choice since they might actually work to slow down the disease. This can help to reduce the risk of you experiencing permanent damage with your tissues and joints.

Surgical Treatments

If your joints and the surrounding tissues experience extensive damage, your doctor might recommend a surgical procedure to repair it. There are multiple surgical options and you and your doctor will need to evaluate the bad joint, such as your hip joint, and determine which procedure is most likely to give you the results that you need. The most common surgical procedures for the joints when they are damaged by rheumatoid arthritis include:

•Synovectomy

•Total joint surgery (anterior hip replacement or posterior hip replacement)

•Tendon repair

•Joint fusion

You can see that there are treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis. In many cases, a number of treatments are combined to help alleviate a patient’s symptoms and slow down disease progression. While there are multiple treatments, there is no cure.

The Orthopedic & Sports Institute has convenient locations to serve and help you with all your orthopedic concerns. In addition to the flagship facility in Appleton, you will find outreach clinics in New London, Ripon, Shawano, Waupaca, and the newest location inside the NOVO Health Clinic in De Pere. To request a consultation, please call (920) 560-1000 or request an appointment online.