diagnosis may be more difficult. The doctor may use arthrocentesis to rule out an infection or gout. The presence of nodules around the elbows or fingers will also make the diagnosis easier.

Doctors use blood tests including a Rheumatoid Factor (antibody in the blood) to rule out Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis is customized to the disease activity based on diagnostic testing. Rheumatoid arthritis is an immune disease where the body is somehow triggered to attack itself. There is no known cause but the outcome is the same.

The first step in identification of the disease is to do a physical exam for telltale rheumatoid nodules in areas of pressure as the elbow and fingers; examination also looks for redness, tenderness, swelling and heat in the joints. Doctors also use a thorough history, blood tests and some x-rays.

Once the diagnosis is suspected or confirmed a referral to a Rheumatologist is standard practice. The Rheumatologist is a physician who has received special training and education and has taken and passed certification board exams. Some doctors will say they are board eligible but this only means that they have passed their initial tests to be a doctor but haven’t taken the testing to be a Rheumatologist.

A Rheumatologist will complete the diagnosis, evaluate the progression of the disease, prescribe a treatment plan and follow up with the patient.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis are usually symmetrical so if there is inflammation of only one or two joints the diagnosis may be more difficult. The doctor may use arthrocentesis to rule out an infection or gout. The presence of nodules around the elbows or fingers will also make the diagnosis easier.

Doctors use blood tests including a Rheumatoid Factor (antibody in the blood) to rule out Rheumatoid Arthritis. R

do a physical exam for telltale rheumatoid nodules in areas of pressure as the elbow and fingers; examination also looks for redness, tenderness, swelling and heat in the joints. Doctors also use a thorough history, blood tests and some x-rays.

Once the diagnosis is suspected or confirmed a referral to a Rheumatologist is standard practice. The Rheumatologist is a physician who has received special training and education and has taken and passed certification board exams. Some doctors will say they are board eligible but this only means that they have passed their initial tests to be a doctor but haven’t taken the testing to be a Rheumatologist.

A Rheumatologist will complete the diagnosis, evaluate the progression of the disease, prescribe a treatment plan and follow up with the patient.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis are usually symmetrical so if there is inflammation of only one or two joints the diagnosis may be more difficult. The doctor may use arthrocentesis to rule out an infection or gout. The presence of nodules around the elbows or fingers will also make the diagnosis easier.

Doctors use blood tests including a Rheumatoid Factor (antibody in the blood) to rule out Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatologist is standard practice. The Rheumatologist is a physician who has received special training and education and has taken and passed certification board exams. Some doctors will say they are board eligible but this only means that they have passed their initial tests to be a doctor but haven’t taken the testing to be a Rheumatologist.

A Rheumatologist will complete the diagnosis, evaluate the progression of the disease, prescribe a treatment plan and follow up with the patient.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis are usually symmetrical so if there is inflammation of only one or two joints the diagnosis may be more difficult. The doctor may use arthrocentesis to rule out an infection or gout. The presence of nodules around the elbows or fingers will also make the diagnosis easier.

Doctors use blood tests including a Rheumatoid Factor (antibody in the blood) to rule out Rheumatoid Arthritis.

en the testing to be a Rheumatologist.

A Rheumatologist will complete the diagnosis, evaluate the progression of the disease, prescribe a treatment plan and follow up with the patient.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis are usually symmetrical so if there is inflammation of only one or two joints the diagnosis may be more difficult. The doctor may use arthrocentesis to rule out an infection or gout. The presence of nodules around the elbows or fingers will also make the diagnosis easier.

Doctors use blood tests including a Rheumatoid Factor (antibody in the blood) to rule out Rheumatoid Arthritis.

diagnosis may be more difficult. The doctor may use arthrocentesis to rule out an infection or gout. The presence of nodules around the elbows or fingers will also make the diagnosis easier.

Doctors use blood tests including a Rheumatoid Factor (antibody in the blood) to rule out Rheumatoid Arthritis. RF is present in only 60-80% of patients with RA. Most patients with RA also have Citrulline antibody in the blood. It is used in the diagnosis of patients who otherwise have unexplained inflammation and is felt to be present during the early stages of RA. AntiNuclear Antibodies (ANA) are also thought to be present in the early stages.

Sedimentation rate (sed rate) is the rate at which the blood cells fall to the bottom of the test tube. The rate is faster during flares and when the inflammation is higher and slower when the disease is in relapse. C-reactive protein will also measure the amount of inflammation in the body.

Rheumatoid factor, C-reactive protein, Sed rate and ANA can be abnormal in other autoimmune diseases so doctors use these tests in combination with others to diagnose RA

At this time there is no cure. The goals of treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis is to reduce the inflammation and pain as well as maximize the function of the patient. Studies have shown that early aggressive treatment will improve function and decrease the progression of the disease.

Optimal treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis involves medications, exercise, rest, joint strengthening, joint protection, and patient a