[Rehabilitation in rheumatoid arthritis]

In the patient with rheumatoid arthritis, muscle weakness and joint contracture and deformity develop, despite the most carefully directed programs of medical care. At the acute phase of this disease, the immobilization or stabilization of arthritic joints is effective for the improvement of inflammation without risk of contracture. At the chronic phase, the patients should be carefully instructed as to the importance of the joint mobility exercise and muscle strengthening exercise. Finally, we must consider that patients with rheumatoid arthritis suffer not only from painful joints but also from psychological and socio-economical damage.