RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PASADENA

• Genetics: Specific genes, such as HLA-DR4, increase the risk, and having a family history can be a factor.
• Smoking: Tobacco use is a major risk factor for developing RA and can worsen the disease.
• Hormones: RA is more common in women, suggesting hormonal factors play a role.
• Age: RA usually starts between ages 30 and 60, with risk increasing with age.
• Sex: Women are about two to three times more likely to develop RA than men.

• Joint Pain and Tenderness: Persistent pain and tenderness in the joints, particularly in the hands, wrists, and knees.

• Swelling: Noticeable swelling and inflammation around affected joints.

• Stiffness: Morning stiffness that lasts for more than an hour, making it difficult to move the affected joints.

• Reduced Range of Motion: Limited movement in the affected joints due to pain and stiffness.

• Fatigue: General feeling of tiredness or fatigue, which is often associated with the inflammation and chronic pain.

• Fever and Weight Loss: Some individuals may experience a low-grade fever and unintended weight loss as part of the systemic symptoms of RA.

• Symmetrical Joint Involvement: RA often affects joints on both sides of the body symmetrically, such as both hands or both knees.

Preventing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is challenging due to its complex causes, but adopting a healthy lifestyle may help reduce risk and manage symptoms. This includes maintaining a balanced diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods, engaging in regular exercise to keep joints flexible, and avoiding smoking, which can exacerbate symptoms. At the Spine & Pain Institute Los Angeles, we offer comprehensive treatment options to manage RA and its effects on the body. Our services include advanced pain management techniques, physical therapy tailored to improve joint function and reduce inflammation, and personalized care plans to enhance overall quality of life. Our multidisciplinary team works to address both the symptoms and underlying aspects of RA, providing support and strategies to maintain joint health and mobility.

At Spine & Pain Institute Los Angeles, we offer a range of treatments tailored to your specific condition and needs. Our goal is to alleviate pain and restore function through personalized care plans, which may include:

• Medications: DMARDs, biologics, and pain relievers.
• Physical Therapy: Exercises to improve joint function and flexibility.
• Lifestyle Changes: Dietary modifications, weight management, and smoking cessation.
• Joint Injections: Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation and pain.
• Surgery: Joint replacement or repair in severe cases.

At Spine & Pain Institute Los Angeles, we use a comprehensive approach to diagnose and understand Rheumatoid Arthritis:

• Medical History and Symptoms: Review of symptoms, their duration, and any family history of RA.
• Physical Examination: Checking for joint swelling, tenderness, and range of motion.
• Laboratory Tests:
  - Rheumatoid Factor (RF) Test: Measures rheumatoid factor antibodies.-
  - Anti-CCP Antibodies Test: Detects specific antibodies related to RA.
  - ESR or CRP: Assesses inflammation levels.
•  Imaging Studies:
  - X-rays: Identify joint damage and disease progression.
  - Ultrasound or MRI: Provides detailed images of inflammation and early damage.
• Joint Aspiration (Arthrocentesis): Analyzes synovial fluid for inflammation or infection.