Is Rheumatic arthritis curable? My mother was diagnosed with Rheumatic arthritis a year ago. Even though she is taking medication regularly, the swelling and pain never goes away completely. What are the musts and must nots of this disease?

Dr. Julie Mercy J DavidPhysiotherapist21yrs exp

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It is called as Rheumatic arthritis. If your pain is more in the distal joints, ie. In the upper limbs if the pain is present in the fingers/wrist and in the lower limbs it the pain is present in the toes/ ankle, then we shall definitely say it is Rheumatic arthritis. Wear elbow brace and wrist brace which will make her to feel warm and that will make the joints become firm. Hot water fermentation will help Knee cap will also help to prevent the damaged cartilages. If your pain is more in the distal joints, ie. In the upper limbs if the pain is present in the fingers/wrist and in the lower limbs it the pain is present in the toes/ ankle, then we shall definitely say it is Rheumatic arthritis. Which joints you have pain? If your proximal joints (ie. Shoulder, hip & knee has pain) then you can pour hot (warm) water in that area to reduce the inflammation. If you have pain in the distal joints ie. Wrist, fingers, ankle, toes then you can wear either elbow brace or wrist brace which will help you to feel warm and very protective. And also immerse the distal joints in the hot water tub which will help you to reduce the pain. Consult the near by physiotherapy clinic and also consult a general physician to check with your ESR levels to check whether you have inflammation The sound what you hear is called as Crepitus /?kr?p?t?s/ (also termed crepitation) is a medical term to describe the grating, crackling or popping sounds and sensations experienced under the skin and joints or a crackling sensation due to the presence of air in the subcutaneous tissue. Popping Knees and Crackling Knuckles. Occasionally hearing pops, snaps, and crackles when you bend your knees doesn?t necessarily mean you have arthritis. The kneecap (patella) is the small, convex bone that sits at the front of the knee, shielding the joint.  

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Dr. Nilesh NolkhaRheumatologist7yrs exp

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Rheumatoid arthritis is very well controllable. Unfortunately we don't have a complete cure. However if we don't take proper treatment, joint continues to get damages with excessive pain. I am not sure who your mother is seeing. Your treating rheumatologist can answer your question better. Sonetimes some RA patients will have some disease left as we can only control disease to 80-90 percent. Also most ages people will have a bit of degeneration, wear tear or osteoarthritis. We can't give any treatment for that. Talk to her rheumy and that might explain it further. Best wishes. For more RA information you can visit arthritisrheumindia website.  

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