Rheumatoid Arthritis - When to Call a Doctor
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Call your health professional immediately if you have:
- Sudden, unexplained swelling and pain in any joint or joints.
- Joint pain associated with a fever or rash.
- Pain that is so severe that you cannot use the joint.
Call your health professional within the next few days if you have:
- Mild to moderate joint pain that continues and has not improved for over 6 weeks.
- Side effects that occur with large doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or other medicine used to treat your arthritis.
Watchful Waiting
It is reasonable to try home treatment for mild joint pain and stiffness. If there is no improvement after 6 weeks, or if any other symptoms are present, call your doctor.
Early treatment can slow and sometimes prevent significant joint damage. So if you have symptoms similar to rheumatoid arthritis, see your doctor to find out if you have rheumatoid arthritis. Early diagnosis and treatment allows for possible reduction of joint pain, slows joint destruction, and reduces the chance of permanent disability.
Who to See
Early arthritis symptoms can be diagnosed by:
Rheumatoid arthritis can be treated by:
- A rheumatologist.
- A family medicine doctor or an internist who consults with a rheumatologist.
Supportive treatment can be provided by:
- An orthopedic surgeon, if surgery is needed.
- A physical therapist.
- An occupationaltherapist.
- Getting counseling.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: April 14, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology | |
1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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