Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Clinical Handbook

Rheumatic arthritis (RA) is the condition in which the body's immune system attacks the joints. This causes the tissue lining of the synovium to thicken, leading to swelling and pain around the joints. If the inflammation is not controlled, it can damage the bone and cartilage. Over time, joints become loose, painful and unstable, and lose their mobility. RA most commonly affects women between the ages of 30 and 60, while in men it occurs later in life. The development of RA is subject to an interplay between genetic and environmental factors. Close to a hundred different genes have been implicated with RA. The early diagnosis and aggressive treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is necessary before extensive damage of the joints sets in as the condition is irreversible. With the aid of medical imaging techniques, such as MRI, ultrasound and X-rays, a diagnosis of RA can be established. Generally, anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents, disease-modifying drugs and certain lifestyle modifications are recommended for the management of RA. This book includes some of the vital pieces of work being conducted across the world, on various topics related to rheumatoid arthritis. It provides significant information of this condition to help develop a good understanding of the management of rheumatoid arthritis. Through this book, we attempt to further enlighten the readers about the new concepts in orthopedics.