Patient/caregiver was educated on the complications of unresolved rheumatoid arthritis as follows:
Increased fall risk
- Damage to the support structures around the joint from chronic inflammatory activity in the joint can result in poor stability of the joint. This can contribute to increased risk for falls and accidents.
Nerve damage
- Inflamed joints can exert pressure on the nerves running close to the joint involved, leading to neuropathy.
- Individuals can present with signs and symptoms of neuropathy, such as, nerve pain, altered sensation, tingling& numbness along the area of distribution of the involved nerve, sharp radiating burning pain along the distribution of the nerve, and weakness of muscles supplied by the involved nerve.
Limited range of motion
- The pain and swelling can lead to stiffness and limitation in the range of motion (ROM) of the involved joints.
