Arthritis is most often associated with aging – as we grow older, the daily wear and tear we’ve put our body through for decades breaks down our joint cartilage and makes every movement painful.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), on the other hand, doesn’t care how old you are. This progressive, autoimmune disease, which attacks and inflames the lining of your joints, can strike patients anytime in childhood or adulthood. Over time, rheumatoid arthritis erodes the joint and invades the surrounding bone and cartilage, resulting in severe pain, loss of function, and limited mobility. It can also spread from small joints like fingers and wrists to the shoulders, knees, and hips as well as inflame tissues in the lungs, heart, and eyes. In severe cases, it may even trigger other autoimmune disorders, 

The good news is there is hope for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. As a top rheumatologist in Knoxville, Dr. Tonya Baker specializes in treating the condition through both medical and alternative therapies. If your RA is treated early and aggressively, you can experience fewer flare-ups and even achieve remission within months of your diagnosis. Patients with later-stage rheumatoid arthritis can slow the progression of the disease and better manage the pain.

How Does a Rheumatologist Treat RA?

An arthritis specialist like Dr. Baker focuses on two aspects of treatment – reducing the symptoms you experience on a daily basis and preventing further joint damage. Too often we see patients whose previous doctors focused only on pain management, and over time, their joints deteriorated to the point of deformity where they could no longer be repaired.

Medical interventions can include corticosteroids that reduce pain and swelling, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to treat the disease itself, or biological response modifiers that slow the progression of RA. In addition, Dr. Baker incorporates alternative therapies into all RA care plans – depending on your condition, these can include diet modifications, exercise, relaxation techniques, and natural remedies.

Dr. Baker is committed to your comfort and care during your RA journey, providing support, knowledge, and compassion at every step and monitoring your condition to adjust your treatment accordingly.