General overview of rehabilitation in the rheumatoid patient.

This article provides a general overview of rehabilitation in the rheumatoid patient. It discusses the physical therapy management of both the systemic musculoskeletal involvement of RA and of the specific postoperative rehabilitation associated with total joint arthroplasty. It is intended to highlight the major components of treatment and to guide the clinician in assessing these challenging, yet rewarding cases. Its emphasis is to support a multidisciplinary approach to patient care.