Let’s talk about something I see a lot in my clinic as a rheumatology nurse practitioner—rheumatoid arthritis and its effect on joint lubrication. Trust me, it’s a topic that doesn’t get enough attention, yet it plays such a key role in how RA progresses and how people feel day to day. Joint lubrication might sound…
Can rheumatoid arthritis cause permanent disability? As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve had this question tossed at me more times than I can count—usually with a mix of fear and uncertainty in the patient’s eyes. Honestly, it’s not a simple yes or no. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) isn’t just about achy joints or occasional stiffness. It’s…
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that often affects the joints, leading to pain, swelling, and stiffness. It’s a condition that I, as a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, encounter regularly in my practice, and one of the most common questions patients ask is, “Does rheumatoid arthritis get worse with age?” While this question doesn’t…
As a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how devastating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be for patients. It’s not just a disease that affects the joints—it impacts people’s lives in a way that goes beyond physical discomfort. But there’s one crucial aspect of RA management that’s often overlooked: joint preservation. The importance of joint preservation…
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a condition that many of us are familiar with, whether personally or through loved ones. It’s a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the joints, leading to pain, swelling, and stiffness. But how exactly does rheumatoid arthritis affect your joints over time? And what can we expect as the disease progresses?…
Rheumatoid arthritis and its effect on balance can often go unnoticed until it starts impacting your day-to-day life in bigger ways. As someone who works closely with individuals living with RA, I’ve seen how it can truly throw a wrench in one’s ability to stand tall, walk straight, or even get through daily tasks without…