Complications (1)
- Pericardial effusion
Lifestyle and home remedies (3)
- Rheumatoid arthritis pain: Tips for protecting your joints
- Arthritis pain: Do's and don'ts
- Exercise helps ease arthritis pain and stiffness
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- Symptom Checker
Tests and diagnosis (2)
- Sed rate (erythrocyte sedimentation rate)
- Rheumatoid factor
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- Hip replacement
- Knee replacement
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Rheumatoid arthritis pain: Tips for protecting your joints
Use these joint protection techniques to help you stay in control of your rheumatoid arthritis pain.
By Mayo Clinic staffJoint protection is a proven strategy to help you manage rheumatoid arthritis pain and perform daily activities more easily. Arthritic joints can't tolerate as much stress as healthy joints can, so pushing, pulling or twisting motions can be painful. Think about ways you can avoid unnecessarily stressing your joints. Don't be tempted to work through your rheumatoid arthritis pain; you may just make the pain worse and increase the potential that joint deformities will develop.
Joint protection: Tips for managing rheumatoid arthritis pain
To avoid unnecessary joint strain and increased rheumatoid arthritis pain, consider these tips for protecting your joints.
Move each joint through its full pain-free range of motion at least once a day
This will help you maintain the active motion of your joints. The amount you're able to move each joint without pain may vary from day to day — take care not to overdo it. Keep movements slow and gentle — forcing a motion past the point of a tolerable stretch can damage your joints.
Learn to understand and respect your rheumatoid arthritis pain
Understand the difference between the general discomfort of rheumatoid arthritis and the pain from overusing a joint. By noting when an activity causes joint pain, you can then avoid repeating that movement or think of ways that you can modify the task. Pain that lasts more than an hour after an activity may indicate that the activity was too stressful. Remember that you're more likely to damage your joints when they're painful and swollen.
Be careful how you use your hands
You use your fingers in many ways during your day-to-day activities. You can perform most tasks in easier ways that put less deforming forces on your joints.
- Avoid positions that push your other fingers toward your little finger. For instance, avoid tasks that require forceful or prolonged gripping or pinching. Finger motions should be in the direction of your thumb whenever possible. For example, when opening jars use a gripping aid and direct the force through the palm of your hand rather than just through your fingers. There are several types of jar opening devices available.
- Avoid making a tight fist. Use tools with thick or ergonomically designed handles, which make the tools easier to hold.
- Avoid prolonged pinching items between your thumb and your fingers. Hold a book, plate or mug in the palms of your hands. If you're reading for long periods, use a book holder. Instead of a clutch-style purse, select one with a shoulder strap.
Use good body mechanics
The way you position your body largely affects how much strain you put on your joints. Proper body mechanics allow you to use your body more efficiently and conserve energy.
- When you're sitting, the proper height for a work surface is 2 inches below your bent elbow. Make sure you have good back and foot support when you sit. Your forearms and upper legs should be well supported, resting level with the floor.
- If you type at a keyboard for long periods and your chair doesn't have arms, consider using wrist or forearm supports. An angled work surface for reading and writing is easier on your neck.
- When you're standing, the height of your work surface should enable you to work comfortably without stooping.
- Increase the height of your chair to decrease stress on your hips and knees as you get up and down.
- To pick up items from the floor, stoop by bending your knees and hips. Or sit in a chair and bend over.
- Carry heavy objects close to your chest, supporting the weight on your forearms.
- Maintain good posture when standing or sitting. Poor posture causes uneven weight distribution and may strain your ligaments and muscles.
Use the strongest joint available for the job
Save your smaller, weaker joints for the specific jobs that only they can accomplish. Throughout the day, favor large joints. For example, carry objects with your palm open, distributing the weight equally over your forearm. Slide objects along a counter or workbench rather than lifting them. When opening cabinets or heavy doors, use a loop that you can pull with your wrist or forearm to decrease stress on your fingers.
Avoid keeping your joints in the same position for a prolonged period of time
Don't give your joints the chance to become stiff — keep them moving. When writing or doing handwork, release your grip every 10 to 15 minutes, or when your hand feels fatigued. On long car trips, get out of the car, stretch and move around at least every one or two hours. While watching television, get up and move around every half-hour.
Balance periods of rest and activity during the day
Effectively managing your workload throughout the day can help you avoid overworked joints. Take time to organize your daily tasks. Work at a steady, moderate pace and avoid rushing. Rest before you become fatigued or sore. Alternate light and moderate activities throughout the day. And take periodic stretch breaks.
(1 of 2)
- Hammond A. Rehabilitation in musculoskeletal diseases. Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology. 2008;22:435.
- Gecht-Silver MR, et al. Overview of joint protection. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 30, 2009.
- Arthritis self treatment: How to care for yourself with arthritis. Arthritis Foundation. http://www.arthritis.org/how-to-care-for-yourself.php. Accessed Dec. 30, 2009.
- Steultjens EEMJ, et al. Occupational therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2004:CD003114.
- Looking after your joints when you have arthritis. Arthritis Research Campaign. http://www.arc.org.uk/arthinfo/patpubs/6055/6055.asp. Accessed Dec. 30, 2009.
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