Exercise and Medication as a Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis Wrist Pain

People suffering from rheumatoid arthritis will often experience wrist pain, as well as pain in the knees and hands. Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis wrist pain includes a range of exercises that can help reduce pain and stiffness. 

Medical and surgery can also be used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis wrist pain. 

RA can cause pain and swelling in the wrist joints. Over time, the inflammation caused by RA can lead to permanent damage and change in the shape of the wrist joints.

A person suffering from RA may also notice small, firm bumps called nodules forming near the wrists. Nodules are also likely to develop around other affected joints in the fingers or elbow.

At first, the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are usually mild. A person suffering from RA may only feel discomfort at certain times when pressure is put on the wrist joints.

In the early stages, the joints’ range of motion is only mildly restricted. However, the pain becomes more severe and persistent over time, and people may feel discomfort even when they are not having a flare-up.

The following are exercises and medications that can be used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis wrist pain.

Using Exercise For The Treatment Of Rheumatoid Arthritis Wrist Pain

It is essential to keep the wrist joints mobile in order to prevent additional damage. Exercising the wrists can improve flexibility, range of motion, and strength in the muscles, which can reduce discomfort caused by rheumatoid arthritis.

The following exercises can help in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis:

  • Stretching and bending the wrists regularly to improve flexibility and range of motion and promote circulation.
  • Squeezing a stress ball helps keep the tendons in the wrist active and build up the hand muscles.
  • Placing the hands palm-up on a table, flipping them palm-down, then repeating will help promote flexibility and strengthen the wrist.

Other exercises that can help relieve the whole body of symptoms of RA include:

  • exercises that involve flowing movements like tai chi and yoga
  • swimming is a great exercise, as the water supports the body and places less pressure on the joints
  • walking is a perfect low-impact exercise for RA and can be done with canes or walkers if needed

Physiotherapists can also recommend other exercises to improve mobility in the wrists.

Medication For The Treatment Of Rheumatoid Arthritis Wrist Pain

Medications can be used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis wrist pain to help reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and slow the progression of RA.

Doctors will often recommend non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to control inflammation caused by RA. Taking NSAIDs is an important step toward reducing pain and helping restore the range of motion in the wrists.

Other types of medication that can reduce the inflammation associated with RA include:

  • disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
  • biologic drugs
  • painkillers
  • corticosteroid injections

Original source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323056.php

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