Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder, which means the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy cells and tissues – in this case, your joints. This malfunctioning immune system response causes inflammation in and around the joints, which may lead to skeletal damage.
The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not known. Women are two to three times more likely to develop RA than men are. Most cases of rheumatoid arthritis occur in people between the ages of 30 and 50. However, RA also may develop in young children and older adults.
In the hand, rheumatoid arthritis may cause deformities in the joints of the fingers, making movement difficult. Lumps, known as rheumatoid nodules, may form over small joints in the hands and the wrist. The inflammation can become so severe that the function and appearance of the hands can become affected. RA also may have devastating effects on other organs, such as the heart and lungs.
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is a form of arthritis in children younger than 16 that causes inflammation and joint stiffness for more than six weeks. Unlike adult RA, which is chronic and lasts a lifetime, JRA is often outgrown. However, the disease can affect bone development in the growing child.
Diagnosis may be difficult in the early stages because symptoms can be very subtle. If you have four or more of the following symptoms, you may be diagnosed with RA:
- Morning stiffness that lasts longer than one hour for at least six weeks
- Three or more joints that are inflamed for at least six weeks
- Presence of arthritis in the hand, wrist or finger joints for at least six weeks
- Blood tests that reveal rheumatoid factor
- X-rays that show characteristic changes in the joints
There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but proper treatment can help you live a long, productive life. Treatment may include:
- Assistive devices, such as a cane or orthotics
- Lifestyle changes, including gentle exercise and good nutrition
- Pain management
- Medications, such as corticosteroids and biologic response modifiers
- Physical therapy
- Joint replacement surgery