Stating that rheumatic diseases are mostly chronic diseases with musculoskeletal symptoms and sometimes involvement of other system organs, Karagül said, “In patients with rheumatic diseases, there is an inflammatory condition, which is usually called inflammation, and as a result, swelling, redness, temperature increase, pain in the joints. and limitation of movement occurs.

Major rheumatic diseases; rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout disease, Behçet’s disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, acute rheumatic fever, familial Mediterranean fever, mixed connective tissue disease and the like. Rheumatic diseases that are inflammatory or non-inflammatory are roughly divided into two. The best example for those who do not have inflammation is osteoarthritis. The other ones are generally inflammatory rheumatic diseases. ”

Stating that physical therapy rehabilitation applications can be used in rheumatic diseases, Karagül said, “With the physical therapy program that we determine according to the clinical picture of the person, together with other treatment options, we can provide relief that will contribute to the quality of life and daily movement comfort. gave the information.

It can cause skin rashes

Karagül stated that symptoms and signs vary according to the involved system and organ, and that systemic symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, fever, unexplained weight loss, night sweats are generally observed.

Karagül stated that as a physical therapy and rehabilitation specialist, patients frequently encounter complaints of musculoskeletal system and said, “As a result of joint involvement, pain in the joints, swelling, redness, temperature increase, movement limitation, morning stiffness or muscle weakness, bone pain, osteoporosis (osteoporosis). Other musculoskeletal problems such as skin rash, kidney or liver involvement, presence of glands under the skin, sensitivity to the sun, sores in the mouth or genital areas (like aphthae), eye involvement, dry mouth and eye can also be observed in patients. can accompany. ” gave information.

Early diagnosis makes treatment easier

Karagül stated that the diagnosis of rheumatic diseases is made in the light of clinical symptoms and findings, with the support of laboratory or radiological data, and stated that rheumatic disease should be suspected first.

Stating that early diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases are important, Karagül said, “The earlier the diagnosis of rheumatic disease, supported by current data, is made and the sooner treatment is initiated, the easier it will be to prevent the progression of the disease and the unwanted situations that will occur as a result of the disease. I recommend that patients with problems apply to physical therapy and rehabilitation outpatient clinics and be screened for rheumatic diseases. ” warned.

“Hot treatments are only a part of physical therapy applications”

Treatments in these diseases; Karagül, who stated that they are divided into 3 groups as medical treatment (drug therapy), physical therapy rehabilitation applications and surgical treatment, gave the following information:

“In drug treatments, various drugs such as indomethacin, acemetacine, cortisone, sulphalasalazine, leflunamide, methotrexate, hydroxycycloracine, azathioprine, biological agents can be given to patients alone or together with regular control periods in order to suppress and regress the disease. surgical treatments can also be planned.

It is a common misconception that physical therapy rehabilitation applications cannot be used in rheumatic diseases. Hot treatments are only a part of physical therapy applications. Treatments with other devices and personalized exercise programs are recommended even in active rheumatic diseases. Cold applications are also a good option for active rheumatic diseases. In rheumatic diseases with chronic stable follow-up, warm treatments can be applied by monitoring blood values. This physical therapy program is determined in the most appropriate way in the light of the clinical and laboratory data of the physical therapy and rehabilitation physician. ”

Medicana Çamlıca Hospital Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Specialist Dr. Sevil Karagül stated that complementary medicine applications can be used in rheumatic diseases, and complementary medicine applications such as ozone therapy, acupuncture, neural therapy, PRP-CGF applications, pain mesotherapy, prolotherapy, osteopathy and manual therapy; He noted that it can be used to complement drug treatments, physical therapy and rehabilitation applications.