Rheumatoid Arthritis

When it comes to Rheumatoid Arthritis surgery, New Jersey spine surgeon Dr. Joshua Rovner has the comprehensive experience patients trust. As one of the states leading destinations for spine surgery & treatment in NJ, Rheumatoid Arthritis is a spinal condition that Dr. Rovner and his advanced surgical team treats.

Approximately 1% of the world’s population suffers from Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease that affects the body’s joints. Autoimmune diseases cause the body’s immune system to become confused and attack the body’s healthy tissue. In the case of RA, the immune system attacks the joints causing inflammation and pain.

Who’s Affected By Rheumatoid Arthritis?

While 1% of the population suffers from RA, it is not distributed randomly across all populations. Men are only one third as likely to have Rheumatoid Arthritis as women and it is four times as likely to affect smokers than nonsmokers.

RA most commonly begins to affect people in middle age but it can be found across all ages.

How Rheumatoid Arthritis Works

Healthy joints are lubricated by synovial fluid and a smooth substance called cartilage caps the ends of bones at the joint. These two factors allow bones to glide smoothing and joints to work properly.

When a person suffers from RA the body’s immune system attacks the part of the body that produces the synovial fluid. Without the lubricating synovial fluid the joints become inflamed and painful. Over time, without the lubrication, the cartilage and bone is destroyed.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis can manifest with a variety of symptoms. Some of the symptoms include:

Joints will become swollen, tender, and feel warm
Hands and wrists are the joints most often affected
It affects joints symmetrically. If your right wrist suffers from RA, it is likely that your left wrist will suffer as well

The symptoms of RA may not be limited to the hands and wrists or even the joints at all. Other symptoms include:

Fatigue
Fever
Pain and Stiffness through out the body
Depression and Anxiety

Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis cannot be diagnosed by one simple test. A physical exam, a variety of blood tests, and x-rays can be required for a full diagnosis.

Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Progressive Spine and Orthopaedics knows that there is not one treatment to effectively treat RA and therefore recommends patients take a multiple prong approach when it comes to RA. Through medication, lifestyle adjustments, continuing care, and occasionally surgery, it is possible to manage RA.

Your New Jersey Spine Surgeon for Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

As an award-winning New Jersey spine surgeon, Dr. Joshua Rovner delivers comprehensive treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis, with both surgical and non-surgical options. Board certified to practice in New York and New Jersey, Dr. Joshua Rovner is among few spine surgeons in NJ with depth of experience and expertise for treatment of spinal conditions along with advanced and minimally-invasive spinal surgery. Schedule a consultation today and contact us.