title: Rheumatic diseases. 2. Therapeutic considerations.
abstract: In the management of rheumatic diseases, the use of corticosteroids should be reserved for active arthritis. Phenylbutazone (Butazolidin) is probably the drug of choice for acute gout and is also effective in ankylosing spondylitis, Reiter's syndrome, and psoriatic arthritis. Indomethacin (Indocin) also is useful in these conditions. Ibuprofen (Motrin) is only slightly more efficacious than aspirin. Aspirin is still the preferred treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and should be tried before ibuprofen. Osteoarthritis of the cervical or lumbar spine calls for a full program of physical therapy. Experimental procedures for total replacement of joints other than hip and knee show promise.
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D003078:Colchicine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006073:Gout / Q000188:drug therapy; D006621:Hip Joint; D006801:Humans; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007595:Joint Prosthesis; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D010653:Phenylbutazone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000188:drug therapy; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D010653:Phenylbutazone; D001241:Aspirin; D003078:Colchicine; D007052:Ibuprofen; D007213:Indomethacin