Rehabilitation of Patients with Rheumatic Diseases - An Update

Abstract

Rehabilitation stands to make a person fit again. Rheumatic diseases are a heterogeneous
group of disorders that involve joint structures (synovium, cartilage and bone) and their
surrounding soft tissues (skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments). This chronic process results
in soft tissue and synovial swelling, erosion of cartilage and bone, rupture of tendons, ligaments
and joint capsule, reduction in joint space, muscle wasting and osteoporosis. Disease
progression can create marked joint instability, muscular weakness and a reduction of general
fitness. Rehabilitation of rheumatic patients includes multidisciplinary approach with
pharmacotherapy, thermotherapy and cryotherapy, optimal rest, use of orthoses and functional
aids, exercises, surgery and patient education. The present article will highlight biomechanical
factors in the causation of disability and an approach to rehabilitate this group of patients.

doi: 10.3329/taj.v16i2.3890

TAJ December 2003; Vol.16(2): 82-88