Treatment of Rheumatoid ArthritisTreatment of rheumatoid arthritis continues to improve, which can give many people relief from symptoms, improving their quality of life. Doctors may use the following options to treat RA:Medications.Physical therapy and occupational therapy.Surgery.Routine monitoring and ongoing care.Complementary therapies.Your doctor may recommend a combination of treatments, which may change over time based on your symptoms and the severity of your disease. No matter which treatment plan your doctor recommends, the overall goals are to help:Relieve pain.Decrease inflammation and swelling.Prevent, slow, or stop joint and organ damage.Improve your ability to participate in daily activities.Rheumatoid arthritis may start causing joint damage during the first year or two that a person has the disease. . Once joint damage occurs, it is generally cannot be reversed, so early diagnosis and treatment are very important.MedicationsMost people who have RA take medications. Studies show that early treatment with combinations of medications, instead of one medication alone, may be more effective in decreasing or preventing joint damage.Many of the medications that doctors prescribe to treat RA help decrease inflammation and pain, and slow or stop joint damage. They may include:Anti-inflammatory medications to provide pain relief and lower inflammation.Corticosteroids that can help decrease inflammation, provide some pain relief, and slow joint damage. Because they are potent drugs and have potential side effects, your doctor will prescribe the lowest dose possible to achieve the desired benefit.Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) that can help to slow or change the progression of the disease.Biologic response modifiers, which are also DMARDs, if your disease does not respond to initial therapies. These medications target specific immune messages and interrupt the signal, helping to decrease or stop inflammation.Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, which are also DMARDs, send messages to specific cells to stop inflammation from inside the cell. These medications may also be considered if your disease does not respond to initial therapies.Physical Therapy and Occupational TherapyYour doctor may recommend physical therapy and occupational therapy. Physical therapy can help you regain and maintain overall strength and target specific joints that bother you. Occupational therapy can help develop, recover, improve, as well as maintain the skills needed for daily living and working. Sometimes, assistive devices or braces may be helpful to optimize movement, reduce pain, and help you maintain the ability to work.SurgeryYour doctor may recommend surgery if you have permanent damage or pain that limits your ability to perform day-to-day activities. Surgery is not for everyone. You and your doctor can discuss the options and choose what is right for you.Your doctor will consider the following before recommending surgery:Your overall health.The condition of the affected joint or tendon.The risks and benefits of the surgery.Types of surgery may include joint repairs and joint replacements. Routine Monitoring and Ongoing CareRegular medical care is important because your doctor can:Monitor how the disease is progressing.Determine how well the medications are working.Talk to you about any side effects from the medications.Adjust your treatment as needed.Monitoring typically includes regular visits to the doctor. It also may include blood and urine tests, and x‑rays or other imaging tests. Having rheumatoid arthritis increases your risk of developing osteoporosis, particularly if you take corticosteroids. Osteoporosis is a bone disease that causes the bones to weaken and easily break. Talk to your doctor about your risk for the disease and the potential benefits of calcium and vitamin D supplements or other treatments.Since rheumatoid arthritis can affect other organs, your doctor may also monitor you for cardiovascular or respiratory health. Many of the medications used to treat rheumatoid arthritis may increase the risk of infection. Doctors may monitor you for infections. Vaccines may be recommended to lower the risk and severity of infections., Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis continues to improve, which can give many people relief from symptoms, improving their quality of life. Doctors may use the following options to treat RA: Medications. Physical therapy and occupational therapy. Surgery. Routine monitoring and ongoing care. Complementary therapies., Overview of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune disease that mostly affects joints. RA occurs when the immune system, which normally helps protect the body from infection and disease, attacks its own tissues. The disease causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in joints..