How to Make Working With RA Easier

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune condition in which your body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells, causing inflammation and painful swelling in the joints, can affect all aspects of your life.

“Symptoms like inflammation, fatigue, limited range of motion, and poor strength can all impact someone‘s ability to work,“ says Brittany Ferri, PhD, an occupational therapist and advisor at Medical Solutions BCN in Rochester, New York.

The Impact of RA in Different Jobs

While RA is different for everyone, in general, the more severe your condition is, the more impact it’s likely to have on you at work.

And while some jobs tend to be more physically demanding than others, virtually all of them require using your hands in some capacity, which can be a real challenge for people with RA.

Other problems come from the office workstation — your desk, chair, and computer, Dr. Ferri says. Sitting in the same position at work for a long period of time can cause pain and stiffness for anyone, but it’s especially difficult for those with RA, Ferri notes.

“Someone at a desk job will need to use ergonomic postures and ergonomic equipment to prevent their symptoms from worsening and impacting their job,” she says.

Doing the same tasks and using the same muscles repeatedly can cause strain on the neck, shoulders, wrists and hands, back, and legs, she adds.

For those with more active jobs, different problems can arise. For example, “Anyone working in construction will need to get accommodations to ensure they are safely using — and not overusing — large equipment,” she says. “The vibration from some heavy-duty pieces of equipment can worsen symptoms of RA and even cause cumulative stress conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, which can cause someone’s hand function to decline.”

How to Ease RA Symptoms and Joint Damage on the Job

• Take frequent walking breaks. “It’s important to take breaks to get up and walk around once or twice every hour that you are seated,” Ferri says. This helps prevent your body from getting too stiff, she adds.
• Get an ergonomic chair. Ergonomic equipment is designed to be comfortable and easy to use. “Be sure to get a supportive office chair that has adequate lumbar support and can be adjusted,” says Ferri. It’s also good to move your chair’s armrests so your arms form a 90-degree angle from your elbow, and you can keep your fingers relaxed, according to the Arthritis Foundation.

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• Be mindful of your wrists. Keep your wrists straight when you’re performing tasks, and do wrist rolls and wrist-extension stretches frequently, Ferri says. Keeping a wrist rest below your keyboard is helpful, too, she adds.
• Upgrade your other desk equipment, too. “To minimize pressure on your hands and fingers, use a mouse and keyboard that works well,” Ferri advises. There are ergonomic options that are designed to keep your arms and hands in a neutral position, she says. It’s also good to keep any other equipment you need within arm’s reach so you don’t have to lean forward to get it, she adds.
• Consider other ergonomic tools that could help. “An ergonomic setup is crucial,” Ferri says. “This may mean getting a standing desk, among other things.” If you use a laptop at work instead of a personal computer, a laptop riser can bring your screen closer to eye level. You don’t want to have to look down or up at your screen, which can cause neck strain, Ferri adds.

Other steps you can take to make your job easier include requesting a closer parking spot, which “can help people whose RA affects their hips and legs,” says Ferri, as well as requesting flexible work hours or working from home.

“Similarly, a relaxed dress code can be helpful if a person needs to have heating pads on different parts of their body,” she adds.

How to Request ADA Work Accommodations

If you’re unsure if you need an accommodation, try keeping a written log for a week to record how you feel and what you’re doing. You can review it when you’re experiencing RA symptoms to see if your work tasks are contributing to your pain or fatigue.

For more on how to request work accommodations under the ADA, visit the Job Accommodation Network (JAN).

The Takeaway

• Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms like joint pain and fatigue can make work challenging at times. Taking regular breaks to move and making sure your body is properly positioned can help, as can flexible hours and working from home, if those are options.
• You may be entitled to reasonable accommodations — from ergonomic or assistive office equipment to modified workplace policies — from your employer under the Americans With Disabilities Act.
• If RA symptoms are affecting your ability to work, consult a healthcare professional and consider discussing workplace accommodations with your employer.