Clinically, rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by a long course of disease and recurrent disease. Similar to gout, it is extremely difficult to eradicate, and the onset often causes severe joint swelling and pain, and the joint activity is obviously limited, so patients are often troubled by it. So, what are the main methods for treating rheumatoid arthritis at present? Which treatment is more effective?

How to treat rheumatoid arthritis?

First, medication.

Rheumatoid arthritis is easy to relapse, and drug therapy, as the main treatment, mainly plays a role in controlling and relieving the disease. At present, the drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis mainly include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, slow-acting anti-rheumatic drugs, immunosuppressants, immune biological agents, glucocorticoids and so on.

1, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs mainly include meloxicam, loxoprofen and voltarin. It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and repercussive effects, and can effectively improve the inflammatory manifestations such as joint swelling and pain. However, long-term use or improper dosage can easily lead to side effects of drugs, such as common gastrointestinal discomfort.

2. Slow-acting antirheumatic drugs

Slow-acting antirheumatic drugs are one of the most basic and important methods to treat rheumatism. These drugs take effect slowly, but they can alleviate and prevent the progress of arthritis and connective tissue diseases. It mainly includes methotrexate, leflunomide, sulfasalazine, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, leflunomide, penicillamine and gold preparations.

3. Biological agents

It mainly includes etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab and other drugs.

4. glucocorticoid

Local joint cavity puncture can effectively relieve joint inflammation. Or before the slow-acting anti-rheumatic drugs take effect, as a transitional treatment, a small amount of hormones can be used to quickly relieve the condition. Once the disease is under control, hormones should be gradually reduced or stopped.

Second, surgical treatment.

Surgical treatment is suitable for patients with ineffective conservative treatment and severe joint dysfunction. Surgery can effectively improve symptoms in a short time and achieve the purpose of treatment. Surgical treatment includes carpal tunnel syndrome release, tendon repair after tearing, synovectomy and joint replacement.

Third, functional exercise.

Functional exercise also has a certain effect on relieving and controlling rheumatoid arthritis, but the intensity and degree of exercise depends on the situation. Generally speaking, the acute stage of the disease is mainly rest, and joint activities are appropriately restricted. Functional activities can be carried out during remission without increasing the pain of patients. In the non-onset period, the range of joint activity can be appropriately increased, with joint active and passive exercises and muscle strength exercises as the main ones.