Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) attacks the whole body rather than just the joints as in osteoarthritis. In this article, Lynn Hunter, musculoskeletal physiotherapist at AXA Health, explains what rheumatoid arthritis is, common symptoms, as well as the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive auto-immune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the joints, causing pain and inflammation.1 If left untreated and allowed to progress, it can ‘eat away’ at, and end up causing damage to the joints in the body.
The key to preventing damage is early diagnosis and beginning treatment as early as possible – at least within the first three months. The good news is that treatments have advanced considerably in the last 10 years.