Although there is no cure for RA, there are a number of effective treatments. RA treatments are generally designed to provide pain relief, reduce joint stiffness and inflammation, and suppress immune activity to limit further joint damage. When a diagnosis of RA is reached, treatment is started as soon as possible to limit disease activity and prevent joint damage from getting worse.
Treatments such as NSAIDS and steroids target inflammation, which can limit joint damage and are often used in combination with treatments designed to suppress the immune system.