Best Rhematoid
Arthritis Treatment
in Hyderabad

Rhematoid Arthritis

Dr.Ratnakar rao and his team are committed in improving lives of people with all forms of inflammatory arthritis especially Rheumatoid arthritis. Our goal is to help patients in improving the quality of their life by providing comprehensive health care. Our patients will be provided with access to treatments that are not available anywhere else.

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder which affects many joints, the joints of arms, feet and knees are commonly affected. In severe cases Rheumatoid arthritis spreads to other organs of the body.

Rheumatoid arthritis in an auto-immune disorder where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the healthy cells causing inflammation (painful swelling) in the affected parts of the body.

In joints affected with Rheumatoid arthritis, the synovium (lining of the joints) gets inflamed causing damage to the tissue. This tissue damage results in pain and deformity of the affected joint.

In Rheumatoid arthritis the joints on the both sides of the body are affected. This is how Rheumatoid arthritis is distinguished from other forms of arthritis.

What are the causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

The exact cause of Rheumatoid arthritis is not known. But there are certain risk factors that make you more susceptible for Rheumatoid arthritis.

What are risk factors for Rheumatoid Arthritis?

AGE:
Rheumatoid arthritis can affect you at any age but 40 to 60 years is the common age group affected with Rheumatoid arthritis. The chances of getting affected with rheumatoid arthritis increases with increase in age.

SEX:
Rheumatoid arthritis is common in females compared to males. Pregnant women and women in post partum period (recently underwent delivery) are more prone to Rheumatoid arthritis.

FAMILY HISTORY:
studies have shown that Rheumatoid arthritis is hereditary i.e., if any of your family members have Rheumatoid arthritis it is more likely that you may be affected with it.

SMOKING:
Smoking increases the susceptibility of developing Rheumatoid arthritis and worsens the disease if already present.

GENETICS:
HLA (Human leukocyte antigen) is a class II genotype, people born with HLA are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis. The risk of developing Rheumatoid arthritis increases if people with HLA have the habit of smoking or are obese.

OBESITY:
The more obese a person, the higher is the risk of developing Rheumatoid arthritis.

ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE:
People who are exposed to Asbestos or Silica are at higher risk of developing Rheumatoid arthritis.

What are the signs and symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

The signs and symptoms are different in different people, the common symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis are:

• Rheumatoid arthritis affects your body symmetrically i.e., if left side of your knee is affected, the right knee will also be affected.
• Rheumatoid arthritis affects multiple joints at a time.
• Pain in more than one joint on both sides of the body.
• Stiffness of joints on both sides of the body.
• Tenderness and swelling on both sides of the body.
• Redness and warming of affected area indicating signs of inflammation.
• Fatigue or tiredness
• Fever
• weight loss
• poor appetite
• Depression
• Muscle ache
• SKIN_RHEUMATOID NODULES- These are bumps or nodule like growths seen under the skin.
• EYES_ Rheumatoid arthritis of eyes causes dryness of eyes,cataract.
• LUNGS_ Shortness of breath.

How Rheumatoid Arthritis is Diagnosed?

Early diagnosis of Rheumatoid arthritis is important to prevent joint erosion. But Rheumatoid arthritis is difficult to diagnose during early stages because the signs and symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis mimic those of other diseases. Single test cannot confirm the diagnosis of Rheumatoid arthritis, hence multiple tests are done.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

• Examining the functioning of joint.
• Touching the affected area to check for tenderness and warmth.
• Testing your reflexes.
• Testing your muscle strength.
• Looking for redness and swelling.
• Examining range of motion of the joint.

BLOOD TESTS

• Anticitrullinated protein antibody (Anti-CCP) test:
  This test is done to find out if Anti-CCP antibody in your blood. Presence of Anti-CCP indicates that you are more likely to have Rheumatoid arthritis, however in all cases it’s not true i.e., people with Anti-CCP may or may not have Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR):
  ESR test is done to test presence of inflammation in your body.
• Antinuclear antibody test:
  Antinuclear antibody panel test is done to test whether your immune system is producing antibodies against Rheumatoid arthritis or not.
• Rheumatoid factor test:
  Rheumatoid factor (RF) is a blood protein. People with high levels of RF in their blood are associated with auto immune
  disorders especially Rheumatoid arthritis.
• C-reactive protein test:
  C-reactive protein is a protein marker secreted in your liver when there is significant inflammation in your body. High levels of C-reactive protein marker are associated with Rheumatoid arthritis.

IMAGING TESTS
These tests are done to reveal the presence or absence of joint damage and if present to know the severity of damage.

• MRI-Scan
• Ultrasound
• X-ray

How Rheumatoid Arthritis is Treated?

MEDICATIONS

• Pain management using over the contour (OTC) Anti inflammatory drugs.
• Reducing inflammation using corticosteroids.
• DMARDs DISEASE MODIFYING ANTI RHEUMATIC DRUGS.
• BIOLOGICS_ Drugs made inside your body.

HOME REMEDIES
Ice packs, grab bars, handrails.
DIET- Food rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins.

SURGERY
Your doctor will suggest you surgery if your condition doesn’t improve even after using medications and following home remedies. Different types of Rheumatoid arthritis surgeries are:

• ANTHROPLASTY: Total replacement of joint with an artificial joint made up of metal or plastic.
• SYNOVECTOMY: The inflamed lining of the joint is removed.
• ARTHRODESIS: Fixation of joint to promote bone fusion.
• TENDON REPAIR: Torn tendons are repaired in this method.

Why should you choose us for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

• We have the best doctors who have expertised the diagnosis of Rheumatoid arthritis. The diagnosis of Rheumatoid arthritis requires proficiency as it mimics many other diseases.
• We assure you that all your needs will be met in the most efficient way.
• Your appointments will be hassle free.
• Our team will guide you through each and every step of the treatment.
• We don’t leave it just there with the treatment we will also follow up to check your prognosis.