
When inflammation has decreased, exercise can be used to strengthen the muscles that surround the joint and to maintain joint flexibility. Early stages can be treated with rest of the affected joints by using a cane or by using joint splints that minimize inflammation. There is currently no cure for RA however, rheumatologists have a number of treatment options available. An arthrogram allows early degenerative changes in joint cartilage to be detected before bones become affected. An arthrogram differs from a regular X-ray by showing the surface of soft tissues lining the joint in addition to joint bones. This allows the soft tissue structures of joints-such as cartilage, tendons, and ligaments-to be visualized. Arthrography is a type of medical imaging of joints that uses a contrast agent, such as a dye, that is opaque to X-rays. Rheumatologists can diagnose RA on the basis of symptoms such as joint inflammation and pain, X-ray and MRI imaging, and blood tests. RA is more common in women than men and the age of onset is usually 40–50 years of age. Breakdown of cartilage causes bones to rub against each other causing pain. Immune cells from the blood enter joints and the synovium causing cartilage breakdown, swelling, and inflammation of the joint lining. Although it is known that RA is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, the cause of RA remains unknown. Affected joints become swollen, stiff, and painful.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disorder that primarily affects the synovial joints of the hands, feet, and cervical spine. They diagnose and treat diseases such as arthritis, musculoskeletal disorders, osteoporosis, and autoimmune diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatologists are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the joints, muscles, and bones. Opposition is the movement of the thumb toward the fingers of the same hand, making it possible to grasp and hold objects. Pronation is the opposite movement, in which the palm faces backward. Supination is the movement of the radius and ulna bones of the forearm so that the palm faces forward. Plantar flexion is a bending at the ankle when the heel is lifted, such as when standing on the toes. Dorsiflexion is a bending at the ankle such that the toes are lifted toward the knee. Depression is the opposite of elevation-movement downward of a bone, such as after the shoulders are shrugged and the scapulae return to their normal position from an elevated position. Elevation is the movement of a bone upward, such as when the shoulders are shrugged, lifting the scapulae.

Protraction and retraction can be seen in the movement of the mandible as the jaw is thrust outwards and then back inwards. Retractionoccurs as a joint moves back into position after protraction. Protraction is the anterior movement of a bone in the horizontal plane. Eversion is the opposite of inversion, movement of the sole of the foot outward, away from the midline of the body. Inversion involves the soles of the feet moving inward, toward the midline of the body. Some movements that cannot be classified as gliding, angular, or rotational are called special movements. Circumduction is the movement of a limb in a circular motion, as in moving the arm in a circular motion. Movement of the limbs inward after abduction is an example of adduction. Adductionis the movement of a bone toward the midline of the body. Examples of abduction are moving the arms or legs laterally to lift them straight out to the side.

This includes moving the neck back to look upward, or bending the wrist so that the hand moves away from the forearm.Ībduction occurs when a bone moves away from the midline of the body. Extension past the regular anatomical position is referred to as hyperextension. Straightening a limb after flexion is an example of extension. Extension is the opposite of flexion in that the angle between the bones of a joint increases. Moving the forearm upward at the elbow or moving the wrist to move the hand toward the forearm are examples of flexion.

Flexion, or bending, occurs when the angle between the bones decreases. There are several different types of angular movements, including flexion, extension, hyperextension, abduction, adduction, and circumduction. Angular movements are produced when the angle between the bones of a joint changes.
