What causes limb deformities in rheumatoid arthritis ? What are the measures to prevent such deformities ?

3 Comments

1. richard t says:

   March 8, 2010 at 7:20 am

   don’t know, but there are injectables(effect the t-cell for ra) which stop it/prevent it.see the doc
2. gillianprowe says:

   March 8, 2010 at 8:06 am

   I have RA, so deformities are my main concern. It really is all about joint protection, easier said than done. I do not have any deformity yet and hope to keep it that way. Therefore I wear splints on the hands at night while in bed, to rest and relax the hands in the correct alignment. Next is Occupational Therapy, as it suggests Occupational work related, therapy helps assistance. So from small simple things like a Kettle Cradle so I no longer have to lift the empty kettle to the tap, fill with water and lug the heavy kettle back to boil water and then lift and pour the boiling water. Cradle takes all the strain out of that task. Lever style taps, no turning, let alone tightening, thereby damaging joints, tendons, muscles. Shredder rather than screwing up paper and throwing it into the waste bin. It is the small things that make all the difference and most of it really is common sense. Where ever you can avoid stress and strain on the hands, then splint them at night. I now have special cutlery, so my hands are not abused, stressed or strained while I am preparing food, let alone eating it.
3. Stephen says:

   April 18, 2010 at 4:18 pm

   I also have RA. there is some medicine that slows down deformation, that can be prescribed by a rhematologist.. it doesn’t feel like it works so well for me though, so I go to the gym, do lots of various wrist exercises, to strengthen joints in my hand (also helping with the fingers) , take MSM, multi vitamins, eat healthy, take warm baths, and try to sleep earlier (I fail at getting enough sleep though).

   I really think if you can develop enough muscle around joints and keep up a really good work out routine for all of your joints that bother you (developing strength and flexibility around them), and getting enough nutrition, then possibly it can be slowed down/prevented.. easier said than done though..

   it’s important to know when your body needs rest, and when you need to exercise with RA as well…

   unfortunately it’s painful for me to type so I will rest now. This has all been just my opinion. Please consult a professional medical physician or something (laughs)

   -Stephen