Our purpose-built facility is designed for patient convenience and comfort, making it ideal for people suffering from musculoskeletal pain and joint inflammation. The team at ArthritisCARE embraces the latest technology and a holistic approach to deliver effective rheumatoid arthritis treatment to Brisbane patients and the wider area.

What is rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?

RA is a type of autoimmune disease and inflammatory arthritis where your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body, causing musculoskeletal pain, joint inflammation, and swelling. It most commonly affects your hands, wrists, and knees.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes stiffness, pain, and swelling in joints, particularly in the bones of your hands, fingers, wrists, and knees.

What causes RA?

Although the exact cause of RA is unclear, we can identify several risk factors:

  • Female
  • Family history
  • If you are born with the HLA (human leukocyte antigen) class 11 genotype,
  • Smoking

We also know that RA can be “triggered” by a bacteria or virus, emotional distress, hormones, or environmental factors such as pollutant exposure or cigarette smoke.

What are the signs and symptoms of RA?

RA symptoms vary from person to person, so here are the most common symptoms someone may show:

  • Pain, swelling, and tenderness in joints.
  • Joint stiffness is most often felt in the morning.
  • Symmetrical symptoms where the same joints on both sides of your body are affected.

About 40% of people who have RA may also experience symptoms that don’t involve their joints:

  • Fatigue and lack of energy
  • Skin rashes
  • Eye, lung, or heart issues
Rheumatoid arthritis treatment

The pain, stiffness, and swelling associated with RA usually occur symmetrically, which means they will generally
affect the same joints and bones on either side of your body.

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How do we diagnose RA?

While most types of arthritis cause joint pain, a rheumatoid arthritis doctor (or Rheumatologist) will need to determine the specific type of arthritis that affects you. We diagnose RA by using a combination of a physical examination and various tests, such as:

  • Blood tests look for inflammatory markers and antibodies.
  • X-rays to determine if there is damage to your joints.

Early diagnosis and intervention for rheumatic diseases such as RA are essential to decrease the risk of complications and long-term joint damage.

What are the treatment options for RA?

At ArthritisCARE, a rheumatoid arthritis specialist physician will work closely with you to diagnose your arthritic disease so we can tailor the right therapy to alleviate your symptoms. The ArthritisCARE team embraces the latest technologies and medical therapy to deliver effective treatment of rheumatoid arthritis joint pain and inflammation.

Rheumatoid arthritis treatment

Non-medication-based therapy, such as hydrotherapy and non-weight-bearing exercises, is a great way to maintain bone and muscle strength, increase flexibility, control weight, and manage symptoms of RA.

Non-medical therapy for RA:

There are many different things you can try to alleviate symptoms and treat RA.

  • Avoid strenuous weight-bearing activities.
  • Rest during “flare-ups.”
  • Exercises to keep joints flexible and strengthen muscles
  • Hot/cold therapy
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Quit smoking
  • Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Medications:

Our Rheumatologists are experts at treating diseases such as RA with medications. As RA affects each person differently, we may need to try several different types of medications before finding the right one for you. There are various different therapies we can use:

  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Corticosteroid medicines or injections
  • Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
  • Biological DMARDs

How much does it cost for RA treatment in Brisbane?

The cost of seeing a Rheumatologist for RA treatment will be specific to your unique needs and treatment plan. The Frequently Asked Questions section of our website gives you up-to-date information on how much ArthritisCARE currently charges for initial and follow-up appointments.

If you suffer from RA, the ArthritisCARE team can help.

The pain and discomfort caused by RA can have a negative and exhausting impact on your quality of life. Our team understands this as we treat patients with even the most complex cases of arthritis and other rheumatologic conditions such as lupus, osteoarthritis, gout, and RA.

Our Rheumatologists have a special interest in working with immune system diseases and inflammatory conditions. We have many years of experience and are genuinely committed to our collaborative and holistic approach to health care, which ensures optimal results for our patients.

Contact us to set up an appointment for a comprehensive, expert medical review today.

ArthritisCARE Rheumatologists

Meet Dr. Peter Landsberg

Dr Peter Landsberg, the founder of ArthritisCARE, has built a team of dedicated and experienced Rheumatologists and support staff to provide expert, friendly, and holistic care to all patients. His special interest lies in treating inflammatory arthritis and connective tissue disorders.

How to contact us

Find a rheumatoid arthritis specialist near me:

FAQs

You can find commonly asked questions about rheumatoid arthritis below.

While there is no cure for RA, therapy and medications have improved dramatically. If you are diagnosed with RA, it is important to understand how the disease affects your life and what can be done to help. The team at ArthritisCARE is here to help you every step of the way so you can better understand this condition and what you can do to help yourself.
A Rheumatologist is a great choice of doctor for RA as they are skilled and knowledgeable in complex autoimmune rheumatic diseases, are experts at distinguishing different types of arthritis and rheumatologic conditions, and tailor appropriate therapy. Your GP can refer you to see a Rheumatologist. Once you have a referral, all you need to do is contact ArthritisCARE and make an appointment!
While diet won’t cure RA, it can help to alleviate your symptoms. A balanced and nutritious diet can help maintain a healthy weight, which decreases stress on your joints. Studies also show that a Mediterranean diet is a great option for patients with RA as it reduces joint inflammation. This diet includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, healthy fats, and whole grains.
People respond differently to RA, medications, and pain therapy. It can be a matter of trialling different options before finding the best method for joint pain relief for you. Our expert Rheumatologists can help create a plan based on your unique needs and symptoms.
Both RA and psoriatic arthritis are types of arthritis where your immune system attacks healthy tissue around your joints, leading to joint inflammation. However, psoriatic arthritis also affects your skin, leading to a condition called psoriasis.
Both RA and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) are types of rheumatologic conditions where your immune system attacks connective tissue. However, RA attacks soft tissue, causing pain and inflammation in your joints, whereas polymyalgia rheumatica causes inflammation in the lining of your blood vessels.
No, RA and rheumatic fever are not related. Rheumatic fever is caused by inadequate or untreated strep throat and results in inflammation of your heart, skin, joints, or even your central nervous system.
These two conditions have similar presentations; however, blood tests will reveal high uric acid levels with gout. Increased uric acid levels are not usually present with RA unless patients also have kidney issues.
Yes, you can be immunocompromised with RA, which simply means you have a weakened immune system. This is a direct result of the disease itself; however, some of the RA drug therapies can further suppress your immune system.
No, there is currently no cure for RA. However, with early diagnosis and intervention, patients can greatly reduce the risk of damage to joints, the need for a whole joint replacement, and the physical and emotional impact chronic diseases can have. Make an appointment with one of our leading Rheumatologists to discuss your treatment.
Fatigue is linked to many types of arthritis, although its strongest association is with autoimmune diseases and rheumatologic conditions like RA. This fatigue is most likely caused by the chronic pain and inflammation associated with RA.
RA can cause chest pain if left untreated or undiagnosed. RA can lead to inflammation in other parts of your body, such as your heart or lungs, which both cause chest pain. Inflammation in your heart is known as pericarditis, and lung inflammation can lead to pleurisy or pulmonary fibrosis.
If you have severe, active RA, the costs of certain medications will be covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). You can discuss what medication will be best for you with a Rheumatologist at ArthritisCARE. They will also explain the process required for these medications to be available to you through the PBS. Here’s an up-to-date list of those medications currently covered by the PBS.
Most patients with RA find that it most commonly affects their feet, knees, wrists, hands, and finger joints, with symptoms usually starting in the joints of the fingers or feet.
 

Learn more about RA in these helpful resources

Arthritis Australia’s Rheumatoid Arthritis Resources page
https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/types-of-arthritis/rheumatoid-arthritis/

Information Sheet: Rheumatoid Arthritis by Arthritis Australia
https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Rheumatoid-Arthritis-Information-Sheet-Sep20.pdf

Booklet: Taking Control of your Rheumatoid Arthritis by Arthritis Australia
https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Rheumatoid-Arthritis-WEB-2019-1-Mar21-Update.pdf

Website: MyRA Designed to help people with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) seize control and become active participants in their journey with RA.
https://myra.org.au/

Empowered: If you have concerns or want more information about rheumatoid arthritis, this website is designed to help.
https://empowered.org.au/

Blog Post and Video: Rheumatoid Arthritis: What you need to know by Dr. Peter Landsberg (Rheumatologist at ArthritisCARE in Brisbane)
https://arthritiscare.com.au/rheumatoid-arthritis-what-you-need-to-know/

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Get You Back to the Activities You Love

If you’re suffering from joint pain, stiffness, or other symptoms related to arthritis, lupus, or other rheumatic conditions, we are here to help. Our team of experienced Rheumatologists is dedicated to providing personalized care and effective treatment options that can help alleviate your pain and improve your quality of life.

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