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Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease which is chronic. One in five adults are affected by it. The job of the immune system is to ward off infections however if you have autoimmune disease, the immune system gets the wrong signals and starts to attack healthy tissues.

Rheumatoid arthritis in the knee occurs when the joints in the knee are inflamed causing restriction of movement. It is quite painful and day to day activities like bending or even getting out of the car can be challenging. The exact cause of the ailment is not known but it could be due to genetic/environmental factors.

The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in the knees are

• Swelling and Pain - occurs around the inflamed joint around the knees.
• Morning stiffness - lasts for about an hour in the morning. Mobility becomes easier after loosening up.
• Flu-like symptoms - fever, fatigue and weight loss might be experienced.
• Nodules - inflammation of tiny blood vessels under the skin, causing lumps.
• Fluid buildup - the joint sac behind the knee gathers fluid and forms a cyst also known as the Baker's cyst.

To relieve pain and discomfort, some exercises for rheumatoid arthritis in the knees are recommended. These are Range-of-Motion and muscle strengthening exercises. Range of Motion refers to your joint's normal range of motion. Movement in the joint is essential to perform daily tasks. Range of Motion exercises helps in reducing stiffness and relieving pain. It is best to consult your physiotherapist before trying these out. Some of the exercises are knee extension, knee flexion, squats and leg stretches. It's great as it can be done in the comfort of your home.

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in the knee is a lifelong one. It includes a combination of physical therapy, medication, exercise and surgery if needed. Combinations of various drugs are prescribed to patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. One of which is DMARDs or also known as disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. These are the first drugs prescribed to patients along with strengthening exercises, rest and anti-inflammatory drugs. Physical therapy includes a mixture of Range-of-Motion exercises, hot and cold treatments, splints or orthotic device treatment and/or deep heat or electrical stimulation to relieve pain, thwart the loss of function and keep the muscles strong. If the joints are very badly damaged, surgery is recommended which may be synovectomy (removal of the joint lining) or total joint replacement.

References

• http://www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/arthritis/default.asp
• http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_general_guidelines_treating_rheumatoid_arthritis_000048_7.htm
• http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/data_statistics/arthritis_related_stats.htm