- Rheumatoid Arthritis;The incidence increases with age, F/E: 2-3/1
Genetics, gender and sex hormones, infections, heat shock proteins, nutrition, and occupation have been blamed for the etiology.
- Involvement in RA:Medium and small joints are particularly affected.
Muscle and tendon active work is impaired due to the resulting pain and deformities, and atrophies occur.
Loss of hand functions is the most important loss of function.
Hip involvement causes difficulty in sitting and standing, knee involvement causes difficulty in stairs and walking.
Stiffness, especially in the morning, is a typical finding.
Rough grip is impaired, and fine grip is also affected as the hand deformity progresses.
- Joints affected:Hand-wrist- Butonniere deformity, swan neck deformity, flexor tenosynovitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, camel hump,
Elbow: Extension limitation, ulnar entrapment neuropathy, olecranon bursitis
Shoulder: ACE involvement, rotator cuff weakening and humeral subluxation
- Treatment:
Symptomical medical treatment: Analgesic, anti-inflammatory,
Basic medical treatment: Etiology-oriented
Preventive measures: Use your largest and strongest joints possible for specific tasks. Carry objects close to your body. Distribute the weight of objects to different joints. Carry objects by holding them with both hands. Plan your work areas by placing the objects you use most in the easiest places to reach. Use appropriate devices and aids. It is necessary to avoid standing in a fixed position for a long time, forcing the hands and fingers in flexion and ulnar deviation positions, forces that will deviate the hand and wrist laterally, applying pressure to the volar surface of the fingers, activities that require excessive clenching, and positions that will apply constant force to the tip of the thumb.
Physical therapy:
In the acute period; resting in functional position, cold application, isometric exercises, ROM exercises with 10 repetitions twice a day, more frequent repetitions in chronic period,
In chronic period: Hot application, stretching, strengthening exercises (holding for 6 seconds and relaxing for 10 seconds, 6 repetitions three times a week), weight training at the limit of fatigue.
Rehabilitation:
Purpose: To respond to the needs and problems of the person at the highest level possible.
To eliminate the problems that impair the quality of life in RA and require rehabilitation.
Ankylosing Spondylitis:
Asymmetrical and especially lower extremity inflammatory arthritis and/or
Back pain that occurs with morning stiffness, decreases with movement, lasts more than 3 months
Inflammatory Arthritis
Inflammatory back pain
Insidious onset before the age of 40
Present for at least 3 months
Increases with rest
Recommendations:
Lie face down on a hard bed for 20 minutes every morning and evening
Take deep breaths frequently during the day
Be aware of your posture
Do your exercises regularly