The diameter of rheumatoid nodules is 2-3 mm. As a rule, patients have many rashes. Rheumatoid nodules do not cause pain. They are located near the joints. In particular, a rheumatoid nodule on the elbow is often localized. Often, neoplasms are soldered to nearby tissues. Damage to the rheumatoid node can lead to the formation of an ulcer.
Causes for the development of pathology
The mechanism of education is not fully understood by medicine. Most researchers are of the opinion that vasculitis is the start for the development of rheumatoid nodules. The pathological process is based on inflammation of the walls of small vessels in violation of the immune system. Doctors came to this conclusion after studying neoplasms. Immune complexes were identified in their composition.
Rheumatoid nodules can appear not only with rheumatism. Exactly the same neoplasms are observed in systemic lupus erythematosus in about 7% of cases. A photo of rheumatoid nodules is presented in this article.
Main Locations
In most cases, neoplasms are localized in the subcutaneous tissue. At the same time theylocated in the elbows and in the forearm.
The main location of pathological neoplasms is the hands. They are located in the interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints. The skin over the joints turns red. A rheumatoid nodule on the finger limits its movement.
Significantly less often, neoplasms are located in the area of the palms and fingertips. They can be not only on the hands, but also on the feet. As a rule, the localization site is the area subject to friction with shoes (heels and calcaneal tendons).
In sedentary patients, rheumatoid nodules may affect the ischial tuberosities of the buttocks.
In bedridden patients, such neoplasms are localized on the back of the head, in the region of the spinal column and sacrum. And in patients who wear glasses, they are located on the bridge of the nose.
Important information
When diagnosing a disease, finding nodules during a medical examination is of paramount importance. Neoplasms can be single in nature and have small sizes. In addition, they are not always localized in places typical for the disease.
Structure of neoplasms
Patients often don't notice nodules because they don't cause pain. Neoplasms rarely suppurate and ulcerate. Small neoplasms have a very dense structure. They can often be confused by a doctor with tophi, which occurs with gout. Larger rheumatoid nodules have a structure similar to dense rubber. They areresemble a cyst, since a small amount of fluid is localized in their center. A photo of rheumatoid nodules of this type is presented below.
In some patients, neoplasms move easily in the subcutaneous tissue, but in most cases they adhere to nearby tissues. In this case, they can contribute to tendon damage.
Number of rheumatoid nodules
In male patients over 40 years of age, rheumatoid nodules are found in large numbers. The prevalence of neoplasms in patients may vary. Some people have single nodules, while others have them in large numbers.
Sometimes rheumatoid arthritis develops in a different scenario. Patients have a small inflammatory process in the synovial membranes of the joint, which is characterized by fluid accumulation in combination with rheumatoid nodules. This course of the disease is mostly inherent in men. It is called rheumatoid nodulosis.
What official medicine offers to cure
The treatment of rheumatoid nodules involves the elimination of the underlying disease - rheumatoid arthritis. This involves the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These medicines are used quite often because they have no side effects.
As a rule, Meloxicam is recommended for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The initial dose of the drug is15 mg. As the inflammation is removed, it can be reduced by half. The minimum dose is taken for a long time and serves to maintain the patient's condition.
The drug "Nimesulide" is used at 200 mg per day in two divided doses.
Celecoxib is also widely used. The daily use of the drug in the amount of 100-200 mg per day is expected.
It is not recommended to combine drugs of the same group, since the result of this is zero, but the risk of side effects is quite high.
The basic medicines include "Methotrexate", "Cyclosporin", "Sulfasalazine", "Azathioprine" and others. Such drugs are prescribed immediately after the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. If there is no improvement in the patient's condition for a long time, then they are supplemented with hormonal agents or replaced.
As a rule, combination with hormones helps to reduce the activity of the pathological process.
When prescribing basic drugs, the doctor monitors the activity of the inflammatory process.
In severe cases of the disease, as a rule, pulse therapy is used, which involves the introduction of a large amount of hormonal agents in combination with basic drugs.
Use of glucocorticosteroids
Preparations containing hormones are prescribed for increased activity of the inflammatory process. In some cases, gels, ointments, creams containingglucocorticosteroids. They are prescribed for topical application in the area where subcutaneous rheumatoid nodules are located.
If the surface of the neoplasm is ulcerated, then drugs are prescribed to accelerate epithelialization. With a moderate nature of the inflammatory process, hormonal agents are used in maintenance doses. They are accepted in parallel with the basic funds.
With rheumatoid arthritis, it is necessary to stop the development of such complications as osteoporosis. Therefore, patients are prescribed calcium and vitamin D supplements.
Application of laser therapy
Laser therapy is one of the ways to treat rheumatoid arthritis. This method has a high level of efficiency in the initial stages of the disease. Laser therapy is used in courses (no more than 15 daily procedures).
Cryotherapy (cold treatment) is used to relieve pain. Usually 20 treatments are performed.
In the early stages of the disease, calcium electrophoresis is used. The use of magnetic therapy, pulsed current, and in severe cases of hydrocortisone phonophoresis has an excellent effect.
Therapeutic exercise
All patients affected by rheumatoid arthritis are recommended exercise therapy and massage. These procedures help relieve muscle spasms and restore the function of damaged joints faster.
For arthritis, hydrogen sulfide or radon baths, mud applications are prescribed.
Recipes of traditional medicine
In treatmentrheumatoid arthritis, you can resort to the use of folk methods. In case of illness, raw potato compresses are used. They are applied to rheumatoid nodules.
Peeled potatoes should be grated on a fine grater and put the resulting mass in a sieve. It is dipped with potatoes for 2-3 seconds in boiling water. The contents are immediately transferred to a cotton bag. A hot potato is applied to the bundle, covered with cellophane and secured with a bandage.
Using pine needle balm
Nodules in rheumatoid arthritis are eliminated with a balm of needles. This treatment is non-addictive and therefore can be used over a long period of time.
To prepare the product, 40 g of pine branches and dry rosehip berries are taken in a 1: 1 ratio, as well as a small clove of garlic.
Pine branches are boiled in two liters of water for 30 minutes. Then the contents are poured into a thermos. After two days, the infusion is filtered. It should be drunk one glass four times a day. You can add a little honey to taste.
In the presence of rhematoid nodules, baths with needles also have a good effect.
Dieting
With rheumatoid arthritis, it is recommended to include more fruits, vegetables and berries in the diet. You can not eat tomatoes, eggplant and potatoes. You should reduce the consumption of sugar, white bread and other flour products, drink more clean water (about 6-8 glasses a day).
To successfully fight the disease, fattyomega-3 acids. They are found in large quantities in seafood, rapeseed oil and soy.
The psychological aspect also plays an important role. The patient must set himself up in a positive way and accurately follow all the doctor's instructions. Only in this case will he be able to achieve a long-term remission of the disease.
Prevention and prognosis of the disease
It should be remembered that rheumatoid arthritis is inherent in a chronic course. However, if the treatment was started on time, and preventive measures are taken regularly, then a long-term remission can be achieved. In no case should you resort to self-medication. Therapy should only be carried out by a professional specialist.
Preventive measures are to conduct therapeutic exercises. Patients should combine aerobic exercise with general strengthening exercises. A set of exercises is selected by the doctor on an individual basis. As a rule, patients are advised to visit the swimming pool, cycling, walking.
The choice of load depends on the physical fitness of the patient. It should increase in stages.
