Rheumatoid arthrtis (RA) is chronic, progressive, inflammatory rheumatic disease. It damages joints, decreases the quality of life and brings to functional limitations. The disease is systemic which means that it can cause damages on many other organs not just joints. It is very important to recognise the disease as early as possible in order to prevent severe damage. The cooperation of physiotherapist, family doctor, rheumatologist, physiatrist and psychologist is very important while curing the patient. Patient has to be put in the centre of interest and he/she has to be educated and familiar with all the phases of curing and the ways that therapy works. The pain is constant as the disease progresses as well as deformations on joints of hands and feet. The aim of curing and rehabilitation is to achieve remission or at least reduce the activity of the disease. Physical treatment helps to control rheumatoid arthritis and postpone the progress of the disease as well as prevents it from the future complications and disability. The aim of this final thesis is the introduction and the education of rheumatoid arthritis, the basic pahtology of the disease, and the methods of diagnosis and rehabilitation.