The goals of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis include:

• Pain relief
• Maintaining the greatest possible mobility and function
• Decreasing joint deformity
• Improving quality of life

Treatment involves the following:

• Lifestyle changes
• Medications
• Surgery
• Alternative and complementary therapies
• Other treatments

Sources:

Arthritis Foundation

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Cecil Textbook of Medicine, 21st ed. W.B. Saunders Company; 2000.

Conn’s Current Therapy, 54th ed. W.B. Saunders Company; 2002.

ThirdAge WWW