Rheumatoid Arthritis
When to Call a Doctor
Call your health professional immediately if you have:
- Sudden, unexplained swelling and pain in any joint or joints.
- Joint pain associated with a fever or rash.
- Pain that is so severe that you cannot use the joint.
Call your health professional within the next few days if you have:
- Mild to moderate joint pain that continues and has not improved for over 6 weeks.
- Side effects that occur with large doses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or other medication used to treat your arthritis.
Watchful Waiting
It is reasonable to try home treatment for mild joint pain and stiffness. If there is no improvement after 6 weeks, or if any other symptoms are present, call your doctor.
Early treatment can slow and sometimes prevent significant joint damage. Therefore, if you have symptoms similar to rheumatoid arthritis, it is important to see your health professional to determine whether you have rheumatoid arthritis. Early diagnosis and treatment allows for possible reduction of joint pain, slows joint destruction, and reduces the chance of permanent disability.
Who to See
For the initial evaluation of arthritis, consult with your family doctor or general practitioner. For additional testing and disease management, you may be referred to a specialist, such as:
- An internist.
- A rheumatologist.
- An orthopedic surgeon.
Supportive treatment may be provided by:
- A physiotherapist, to assist with exercise and pain management (physiotherapy).
- An occupational therapist, to assist with splinting or assistive devices (occupational therapy).
- A counsellor, to help manage emotional issues that may occur in a long-term illness (counselling).
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| Author: | Carrie Henley Robin Parks, MS | Last Updated: October 13, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Tom Bailey, MD - Family Medicine Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology | |
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