Rheumatoid Arthritis of the shoulder is often a problem for patients that suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis. The shoulder can also be affected by other forms of arthritis too, so it is important to differentiate between the forms of arthritis to find out which one a patient has and then begin treatment accordingly.

Some patients with shoulder pain suffer from Osteoarthritis. This is a common problem for many. This form of arthritis is from the daily wear and tear that is associated with daily routines. Patients that have played sports may find that as they age they are more prone to Osteoarthritis.

Another type of arthritis is Posttraumatic Arthritis and this develops due to an injury to the shoulder. The shoulder may become damaged and arthritis then develops, it is a form of osteoarthritis.

Both of these types of arthritis are centered in the shoulder. The pain is a result of everyday use and the treatment of these forms of arthritis is specific to this type of arthritis. This may include resting the shoulder, icing the shoulder and using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to help with the swelling. Surgery may be suggested and the results are usually very favorable with this type of arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis on the other hand is a systemic disease that belongs in the family of auto-immune diseases. This means that a person's entire body is affected by the disease, and Rheumatoid Arthritis of the shoulder is probably not the only place a person has pain in their joints. Rheumatoid Arthritis of the shoulder can be extremely painful and a doctor may prescribe several ways to treat this condition.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Of The Shoulder: What Can Be Done

When a person has Rheumatoid Arthritis of the shoulder, they are often in pain elsewhere too. A doctor will generally prescribe either steroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications to help with the swelling within the joint. They will also begin a drug protocol to help stop the progression of the disease.

With Rheumatoid Arthritis, patients can suffer severe joint damage and complete loss of motion in a joint. Rheumatoid Arthritis of the shoulder can also be treated with steroid injections directly into the site to help alleviate pain. Often this course of treatment brings immediate relief to the area. The patient will also be prescribed a specific drug protocol worked out by their physician to help with this degenerative disease.

It may take several months for patients to begin to feel truly better after they have been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Patients may also find that they need to change the medications that they take in order to keep the disease in control.

Rheumatoid Arthritis of the shoulder is just part of the overall condition known as Rheumatoid Arthritis and patients need to seek medical advice in order to find out if this is a condition that they have.