Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital focuses on improving the effectiveness of rheumatoid arthritis treatment

(Baonghean) - Along with post-trauma rehabilitation, Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital is a trusted address in the treatment of many diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis - one of the diseases that leaves serious sequelae if not treated promptly.

Unforeseen consequences

As an autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis progresses very quickly, is difficult to cure completely and often leaves many unexpected complications in the joints and other organs of the body. The disease destroys articular cartilage, causing joint deformities, disability and increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, even leading to reduced life expectancy and death.

According to orthopedic specialists, from the first years of illness, patients have decreased motor function. Up to 44% of patients lose normal motor function and 16% lose serious function after 5 years. After 10 years, up to 40 - 60% of patients will lose the ability to work.

Read magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to find the cause of rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Photo: Thanh Thuy

Currently, rheumatoid arthritis is considered the disease that causes the most disability. In addition to the effects on the joints such as pain, muscle atrophy, and joint deformity, the disease also causes serious consequences to many other organs in the body. This is a chronic joint disease in adults, manifested by non-specific inflammation of the synovial membrane in many joints, with a long-term, increasing progression, eventually leading to joint adhesion and joint deformity.

In most cases of rheumatoid arthritis, the number of damaged joints is often large, bilaterally symmetrical, and the risk of disability is high. Due to the disorder of the immune system, the body produces antibodies that attack organs, especially the synovial membrane of the joints.

In the full-blown stage, when there is “wear and tear” of the articular cartilage and bone ends, the joint is damaged and difficult to recover. As a result, the patient not only has difficulty in daily activities, but may also suffer from joint deformities, muscle atrophy, joint stiffness, loss of mobility, and even lifelong disability.

Instructions for patients on physical therapy exercises in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Photo: Thanh Thuy

According to statistics, after 10 years of rheumatoid arthritis, 40 - 60% of patients lose the ability to work, their joints may become deformed, causing disability and requiring care and assistance from others. The risk of death increases in patients with impaired motor function, people with cardiovascular disease, infections, osteoporosis and diseases that are consequences of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs... In addition, rheumatoid arthritis also affects many organs in the body such as the heart, lungs,... accompanied by symptoms of general fatigue, high fever, and low-grade nodules under the skin...

The disease needs to be treated properly. Patients should absolutely not self-medicate because it may increase the severity of the disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis treatment

Ms. Nguyen Thi Nga (5 or 65 years old) from Quy Hop district, currently being treated for rheumatoid arthritis at the hospital, said that at first she had pain in her big toe, stiff joints in her feet, and difficulty moving. There were times in the morning when her fingers and toes were stiff and she could not move. After a period of treatment at the Rehabilitation Hospital with a regimen of taking medicine, combining physical therapy, acupuncture, etc. after 1 week, her condition improved a lot. The joints in her hands and feet no longer hurt in the morning, and she could move more easily.

As for Mr. Dinh Xuan Truong (78 years old) from Dien Chau district, he was hospitalized in a rather serious condition, with red and swollen joints in his toes. From his shoulder down to his left arm, he was always numb, and could not feel any pain when pinched. There were times when his legs were so painful and numb that he had to use a cane to help him move. The pain and discomfort made him lose his appetite and sleep, causing his health to decline.

Doctor, Master Thai Thi Xuan - Director of Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital said: Cases like Mrs. Nga and Mr. Truong are not rare. There are many patients who are more seriously ill, unable to take care of themselves and need support and help from relatives in daily activities. However, after a period of active treatment at the hospital, most patients have improved a lot. The important thing in treating rheumatoid arthritis is that the patient must be persistent, follow the doctor's instructions correctly, and especially the treating doctor must monitor regularly and continuously throughout the treatment process. In addition, for seriously ill patients, they need the attention, care and support of their families to recover quickly.

At Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital, patients with rheumatoid arthritis are treated with many methods: internal medicine, surgery, physical therapy, orthopedics, occupational therapy, oriental medicine and acupuncture. Depending on the stage of the disease, inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, nursing care, and a combination of oriental and western medicine are used.

However, surgical treatment is indicated in cases of prolonged inflammation of some joints that medical treatment is ineffective, joint inflammation and effusion; usually surgical removal of the synovial membrane. In addition, surgical treatment to restore function of some severely deformed and destroyed joints by methods: artificial joint replacement, bone end resection, joint correction, or fusion of some joints to avoid dangerous complications.

In rheumatoid arthritis, physical therapy and rehabilitation are important and mandatory measures to minimize sequelae and restore the patient's ability to work. After using pain medication, physical therapy and exercise therapy must be combined. These include: hot and warm baths, paraffin wraps, infrared and ultraviolet lamps applied to inflamed joints, mud baths, etc. These measures have the effect of dilating blood vessels, increasing blood circulation, increasing sweating, relaxing muscles and reducing pain at the site. Using direct current, alternating current, high frequency electricity, and ultrasound with different intensities and wavelengths are energy-based treatments.

Checking patient's reflexes in rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Photo: Thanh Thuy

Massage and acupressure, the doctor performs and guides the patient to perform, massage has the effect of improving blood circulation, reducing pain, increasing skin elasticity, reducing skin and ligament fibrosis. Exercise therapy and rehabilitation: instructing patients on appropriate exercise: Exercise with bare hands, exercise with rehabilitation tools: exercise with sticks, weights, climbing stairs, bending, pulling, pedals. In addition, combining mineral spring water, sea water and mud in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis will be more effective.

How to prevent rheumatoid arthritis

According to Dr. Thai Thi Xuan - Director of Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital, to effectively prevent rheumatoid arthritis, we need to drink enough water because water accounts for 70% of the cartilage and maintains the smoothness between the two ends of the bone. It is necessary to drink enough water, especially in winter, do not be afraid to drink water. Exercise regularly, because exercise is not only good for the cardiovascular system but also good for the bones, muscles and joints. Some sports that are encouraged to practice to help limit arthritis are: swimming, cycling, walking.

Reasonable diet: Your bones need a large amount of nutrients to be healthy. Therefore, foods rich in vitamins C and E, calcium will support the body's joint system to not degenerate early. Maintain a reasonable body weight, if you are overweight, you need to lose weight, losing weight is a way to reduce the weight on the bones and joints, this helps the bones and joints not to bear too much pressure, reducing the risk of arthritis. Limit carrying heavy objects. Limit stress, not affecting the process of hormone transport will help limit the risk of arthritis.

Thanh Hien