Artrite Reumatoide

Abstract

The author reviews the rheumatoid arthritis (R.A.) that is the most frequent inflamatory cronic rheumatic disease. The most important issues concerning the anamnesis and the locomotor system, neurological and functional examination are enfatised. The author refers the most important aspects of the radiological examination and the actually accepted criteria to established the diagnosis of R.A. Concerning the treatment it is made the discrimination between the local and sistemic medical, fisiatric and ortopedic treatments. Rehabilitative therapy useful in R.A. are analysed and divided in rest, exercise, articular protection and energie conservation (articular economy), thermal modalities, nutritional treatements and patient education. At last, the indications of treatment are refered in each stage of the illness.