Effectiveness of Physical Therapy in Treating a Patient With Cervical Spondylosis Caused by Rheumatoid Arthritis to Improve the Quality of Life

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease characterized by symmetrical erosive polyarthritis that results in progressive disability. In patients with RA, the clinical course can be intermittent or progressive, depending on the severity of the symptoms. As complications of RA may develop within months of presentation, it is recommended that patients seek treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs as soon as possible. Wrists, proximal interphalangeal joints, metacarpophalangeal joints, and metatarsophalangeal joints are the most commonly involved joints, with the spinal joints and distal interphalangeal joints usually spared. The term cervical spondylosis refers to the general wear and tear of the cervical spine (neck) caused by aging, which can result in neck pain, neck stiffness, etc. Cervical degenerative spondylosis is caused by arthritic changes to the osseocartilaginous components of the cervical spine. This may result in compression of spinal nerve roots or the spinal cord, leading to pain in the neck, radiculopathy, or myelopathy. The present case report is of a 57-year-old female having pain in her neck and lower back for 20 years. She also complained of pain in the bilateral wrist joint, proximal interphalangeal joints, distal interphalangeal joints, metacarpophalangeal joints, and metatarsophalangeal joints. The pain was insidious in onset and gradually progressive. The pain has progressed to such an extent that it was hindering her day-to-day activities. The pain progressed on movement and was relieved with rest and medications. The pain was not associated with tingling or numbness. Physical therapy aims to strengthen weak structures, lessen pain, increase joint range of motion, improve movement patterns, increase cardiovascular endurance, and enhance the patient's quality of life.