rheumatoid arthritis

[ausphys]

I have a new patient coming in to my clinic, he reports that he has a rheumatiod arthritis but I have yet to see his referral letter. His main complaint is stiffness, I am wondering if joint mobilisations are appropriate in this case? I have not treated a patient with RA before.

Similar Threads:

• outcome measurement tools for interventions for rheumatoid arthritis
• rheumatoid arthritis ,recovery,total hip replacement,knee replacement
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Management of Early Rheumatoid Arthritis
• rheumatoid arthritis

[smshaffe]

not with severe RA (referring to the amount of joint deformity) but with less severe cases sure you can as long as there are no other contraindications. in fact if the joint is tight i'd highly suggest it. as always, have the do something painful (perhaps walking or raising an arm) and then mobilize them. if they repeat the movement and there is improved ROM or pain then you have shown it to be helpful. however, if mobilization doesn't help then stop.

[alophysio]

I would like everyone to try this...click on Random1982's name and see what all his posts are about...

...notice how he refers to his website on protocols...

...notice how he doesn't really help or answer specific questions properly...

I suspect he is in it to promote his own website...

I will post this on all of his replies.

If you are going to spruik your website, at least have the decency to contribute to the discussion properly!

[physio.sonam]

The first and the main thing u had to do is proper slintage on the joints if the patient is in acute stage to prevent it frm deformity and secondly apply wax baths on the small joints of hand n foot n yes you can do mobilisation of the joints if the patient is in acute stage

well best of luck from my side...

[pudding_bowl]

Yea basically you just have to decide how painful it's going to be. Utilising heat via wax baths or a wheat bag is really helpful beforehand to help reduce that pain.
But if the patient is severe then you may be better off having the patient use their own force to apply the stretch or mobilisation.
What area of the body is it? and as it's been a while how'd you go with this patient?

Pudding