PHYSICAL MEDICINE PLUS CORTISONE FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

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Abstract
Because of the recent interest in cortisone and corticotropin (ACTH) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, physical medicine and other measures that are of proved value in the management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis have been slighted. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the relation of physical medicine to cortisone in the treatment of such patients. As the treatment with cortisone of increasing numbers of patients having rheumatoid arthritis has continued, it has become apparent that cortisone alone, as it is customarily used at present, does not always provide complete control of the disease. It is well recognized, as has been reported,1 that cortisone alone will relieve much of the pain and stiffness and will produce a decrease in the synovial inflammatory reaction. However, in order for many patients with rheumatoid arthritis to obtain maximal objective signs of improvement in articular function while receiving safe suppressive