ABOUT THE DISEASE

It is a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints. It occurs in joints on both sides of the body (such as both hands, wrists, and/or knees). This symmetric multiple joint involvement helps distinguish rheumatoid arthritis from other types of arthritis. It may affect other organs too.

CAUSES

The exact cause is unknown. It is an auto immune disorder, where the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy tissues.

SYMPTOMS

• Joint Pain & swelling - especially hand and feet.
• Stiffness that is worse in the morning.
• Fatigue.
• Loss of appetite.
• Low-grade fever.
• Firm lumps (rheumatoid nodules) that grow beneath the skin in areas such as the elbows and hands.

DIAGNOSIS

- Medical history
- Physical examination
- Rheumatoid factor test
- Joint Ultrasound/X-ray
- MRI
- Anti CCP- antibody test
- CBC
- ESR
- C Reactive protein

TREATMENT METHODS

- Medications, eg.NSAIDs, Corticosteroids, COX2 inhibitors, DMARDs, Infliximab, etc.
- Rest and exercise.
- Physical therapy/occupational therapy.
- Surgery, eg. Synovectomy, Joint replacement

You may also like to learn about:

Arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Ligament injury
Juvenile Rheumatoid arthritis
Knock knees
Meniscal tear/injury