Arthritis Care and Prevention

Secondary prevention is about slowing the disease’s progress and preventing long-term joint damage or complications once arthritis has been diagnosed. This involves consistent medical oversight and careful attention to your symptoms.

Protecting Your Joints

Protecting your joints means changing how you perform daily tasks to use the strongest and largest joints available. This prevents unnecessary stress on smaller, more vulnerable joints, like those in the fingers and wrists.

• Use Adaptive Tools: Employ tools like jar openers, long shoe horns, or electric can openers to minimize strain on hands.
• Distribute Weight: When carrying items, use both hands or a shoulder bag instead of a handbag clutched in one hand. Slide heavy objects across a surface instead of lifting them.
• Listen to Pain Signals: When a joint is actively inflamed or painful, rest it. Pushing through a flare-up can cause long-term damage. Balance rest with activity.

Regular Checkups and Screening

Consistent monitoring by a rheumatologist is crucial for secondary arthritis prevention. Regular checkups track disease activity and allow treatment adjustments to prevent joint damage. Routine lab tests assess inflammation markers like C-reactive protein and ESR to monitor treatment effectiveness. Imaging, such as X-rays or ultrasounds, checks for joint space narrowing or bone erosion signaling disease progression. Eye exams may be necessary when using certain disease-modifying drugs (DMARDs) or biologics to watch for side effects. Early detection of flare-ups enables quicker intervention, helping to control arthritis better and prevent significant damage.