NF Arthritis

[Dutchy]

The best way of treating arthritis is to target tumour necrosis factor alpha which is secreted by the inflammatory cells. TNF alpha is very damaging and sort of causes a perfect storm as it causes joint cells to secrete more TNF alpha which then recruits more inflammatory cells. The current best medications on the market are etanercept and infliximab. These are recombinant antibodies which are injected into the joint and neutralize the TNF alpha and it last for about 6-8 weeks. So you need multiple injections. Problem is that they are expensive and most healthcare providers baulk at paying it. Its about $14,000 per year. They do work though. There are currently clinical trials going on which target TNF alpha using gene therapy, ie they inject DNA into the joints which switch off TNF alpha in the cells. Unfortunately there is no one size fits all treatment.

 

The other thing is if you are overweight, drop it as quickly as possible. The heavier you are the worse the joints will deteriorate. Obviously if it in your thumbs, this is irrelevant