Is joint pain rheumatoid arthritis?

Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
Updated on September 05, 2024
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Firstly, it should be noted that there are many causes of joint pain in clinical practice, and it is not necessarily caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Of course, rheumatoid arthritis can also cause joint pain in patients. In addition, there are some other reasons, for example, local joint bacterial infection in patients can also cause joint pain. Furthermore, joint injuries leading to fractures, dislocations, soft tissue damage, ligament injuries, and meniscus injuries can also cause joint pain. Additionally, the presence of osteoarthritis or gouty arthritis can similarly lead to joint pain in patients.

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
51sec home-news-image

What medicine is taken for rheumatoid arthritis?

The medication for rheumatoid arthritis mainly falls into three categories, The first category is the choice of anti-inflammatory and pain relief medications, which mainly includes two types: non-steroidal analgesics and low doses of corticosteroids. If the patient's pain symptoms are mild, non-steroidal analgesics can be opted for. However, if the patient's pain symptoms are more severe, and there is significant liver or kidney damage, or concurrent interstitial lung disease, then the use of low doses of corticosteroids should be considered. The second and most important category is the choice of immunosuppressants, which include drugs like methotrexate and leflunomide. The third category is the treatment with biologic agents. (Medication should be administered under the guidance of a doctor)

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
56sec home-news-image

The difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is primarily a degenerative joint disease, most commonly occurring in weight-bearing joints and the distal joints of both hands. Therefore, if there is pain in the distal joints of the hands or in joints like the knee, it may be osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis mainly affects the metacarpophalangeal joints, proximal interphalangeal joints, and both wrists. It is also important to distinguish that in patients with osteoarthritis, inflammation indicators such as sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and endocrine factors are usually normal. However, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, these indicators, including sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and rheumatoid factor, are abnormally elevated.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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What should you pay attention to with rheumatoid arthritis?

Firstly, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. It cannot be cured but can only be managed with medications to control the condition, relieve clinical symptoms, delay the onset of joint deformities, reduce complications, and improve quality of life. These are the main goals of treatment. Therefore, in the treatment process, the following points should be noted: First, do not stop taking medication on your own. After the condition stabilizes, reduce the medication slowly under the guidance of a physician; Second, diagnosis and treatment should be as early as possible to prevent the appearance of joint deformities; Third, during treatment, it's important to periodically recheck blood routine, liver and kidney functions, and electrolytes; Fourth, avoid excessive fatigue. However, one should not be inactive; physical exercise is an important part of the treatment process for rheumatoid arthritis; Fifth, pay attention to keeping warm, avoid getting cold, and avoid the intake of raw and cold foods. These are some important precautions to take.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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What medicine is used for rheumatoid arthritis?

First, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease and a chronic condition that cannot be cured. The primary goal of treatment is to alleviate symptoms, delay complications, improve quality of life, and reduce disability through conventional drug therapies. Treatment methods include general treatment and medication. General treatment consists of functional exercise and lifestyle considerations, such as avoiding cold water and raw, cold foods, and emphasizing the importance of exercise. Additionally, the first-line drug treatments include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), with traditional DMARDs being the current preferred and anchor treatment option.

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Written by Liu Li Ning
Rheumatology
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Rheumatoid arthritis skin manifestations

Rheumatoid arthritis does not have specific skin manifestations. Rheumatoid arthritis is an immune-mediated erosive arthritis, clinically characterized by systemic symmetrical multiple joint swelling and pain, accompanied by morning stiffness, often lasting for more than an hour. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect the proximal interphalangeal joints and middle joints of both hands, as well as both wrists, elbows, shoulders, ankles, knees, and other joints. Some patients may experience involvement of the temporomandibular joint. Rheumatoid arthritis can also have extrarticular manifestations, such as affecting the hematological system, which may result in mild to moderate anemia, or affecting the lungs, which can lead to interstitial pneumonia or pulmonary fibrosis.