Hi, thank you for your question. Pain and swelling in the elbow may be signs that your mother has rheumatoid nodules in her elbow. Rheumatoid nodule is one of the complication of rheumatoid arthritis. This can also mean that her rheumatoid arthritis is getting worse.

Treatment of rheumatoid arhtritis that worked in the past may not always keep her condition under control. Sometimes she will need to change her medication. Doctors will advice patients on changes in medications when they have a flare-up, when medications stop working or when they develop new symptoms. They may need to increase their dose of medications or add another medication to their normal drug regime to decrease inflammation during flare-ups. Medications may no longer work for some people after a period of time.

There are also instances where the body produces antibodies that reverse the effects of the medications, making them ineffective. New symptoms show that their arthritis is worsening and they will need other classes of drugs to keep things under control.

People with rheumatoid arthritis are usually treated with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDS) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). DMARDS relieves symptoms and slows the progression of joint damage, while NSAIDS reduce pain and swelling. If their condition worsens, they may need biologic agents that stop the immune system from triggering inflammation.

Physical and occupational therapy can also help people with rheumatoid arthritis. The therapists will advice patients on the types of exercise suitable for them. Most people may think that exercise will worsen their joint pain, but actually it is the lack of exercise that makes the pain worse. Exercises strengthen the muscles to support the joints, maintain bone strength, maintain a healthy weight, build stamina and improve balance.

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