We’ve come a long way | Arthritis Information

Well, I guess the new drugs have anyway

Media file 1: Soft-tissue swelling and early erosions in the proximal interphalangeal joints in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis of the hands.


Media type: X-RAY

Media file 2: Prominent juxta-articular osteopenia in all interphalangeal joints in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis of the hands.


Media type: X-RAY

Media file 3: Well-defined bony erosions in the carpal bones and metacarpal bases in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis of the hands.


Media type: X-RAY

Media file 4: Multiple erosions with deformity of the carpal bones in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis of the hands.


Media type: X-RAY

Media file 5: Follow-up radiograph obtained after an 18-month interval in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis of the hands (same patient as in Image 4). Ankylosis of the carpal bones has occurred, with enlargement of the erosions.


Media type: X-RAY

Media file 6: Subluxation in the metacarpophalangeal joints, with ulnar deviation, in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis of the hands.


Media type: X-RAY

Media file 7: Subluxation at the third metacarpophalangeal joint and marginal erosions at the heads of the second to fourth metacarpals in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis of the hands.


Media type: X-RAY

Media file 8: Marked ankylosis of most of the carpal bones in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis of the hands.


Media type: X-RAY

Media file 9: Partial collapse of fused carpal bones with subluxation at the radiocarpal joint in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis of the hands.

LEV

Well i can't speak for Lev but according to my dr. I can expect to not have hands that look like that due to catching it early and the advances made in our drugs. Still, looking at those pictures is scarey and painful just the same. It does make me think "but what if..."I have one finger, my middle right hand finger that is deformed. Not too noticeable as of yet, but instead of round, it's now square at the knuckle and the sides are way higher than the center. I make sure to exercise it and keep it from fusing itself. I would hate to have hands like that, but it is something i expect.

Hi all

My hands have been very painful for 14 years since I've had RA and I'm lucky to say that, other than a couple of fingers being slightly bent and slightly prominent knuckles, my hands are still good considering the swelling that I've had. Have had to have my rings resized but there is little to show with the RA. Thankfully. I do feel for those who have had severe damage to their hands. So I guess, as honey says the earlier it is treated the less likely it will happen.

Well, I guess I didn't consider someone new to ra reading the post and mis-interpreting my message. If it scared you, it should, ra is a very serious, very scarey disease. If you do have ra you are very sick. You will not be able to ALEVE it and think that the pain will "aleve you alone. I have spent the last two years researching ra and relatedes, always searching for the cause and the cure. I've now relaxed more into it. Now I really don't care what caused it, just how to best "manage" it. What I was relating to readers is that with all the new drugs, we don't have to worry much about the deformities. The new drugs slow the inflammation, pain and erosion thereby keeping the deformities at bay. Anyway, get in, buckle up and get ready for the scariest rollercoaster ride of you life. Oh yeah, even better meds and possibly a cure is just around the corner or shoud i say in some phase trial.

LEV

Even untreated RA (just nsaids and pain meds - no dmards) usually does not cause such dramatic deformity. Those were 2 very bad cases of RA.

The trouble is no one can really predict who will end up with a mild case or an extreme case. The early years before the severity can be predicted is the time to start dmards. The damage does not have to be dramatic to cause severe pain and disfunction. Usually you will have RA for the rest of your life, so do what you can to protect your joints.