Reversing Joint Damage in Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease, which can lead to joint pain and damage over time. RA has no cure but remission, where symptoms are almost absent or completely reduced is achievable with proper management strategies.
Can Joint Damage Be Reversed?
Most health care professionals agree that the joint damage from RA can only be controlled or halted; it cannot be fully reversed. By the time damage to joints has occurred, structural changes are usually permanent. Nevertheless, disease progression can be slowed and symptoms can usually be controlled with prompt aggressive treatment. However, studies have suggested that achieving controlled symptoms without medication may be feasible in some patients who take a combination of DMARDs and biologics to maintain remission12.
Importance of Early Treatment
Prompt treatment after a diagnosis is essential. Studying has found that the most effective treatment is to start at an early stage, then there would be a higher probability in remission of disease activity and sustaining joint functions. The American College of Rheumatology has proposed criteria to classify remission as minimal or no joint swelling and tenderness in combination with low levels of systemic inflammation measured by blood tests23.
In Remission, Flare Control
Even when in remission, continuing maintenance therapy is necessary to avoid a flare-up. They may have to be maintained at a lower dose continued on the medication (Barbosa et al.rheumatoid arthritis (ad), 1996). These forms of intervention are complemented alongside lifestyle changes including diet and exercise as key elements to maintaining remission45.
To summarize, you cannot reverse the joint damage from RA; however, with good management you can have significantly less symptoms and regain quality of life. It is likely that both early intervention and ongoing treatment are needed to achieve long-term remission.
