Patterns of Joints Affected in RA | Arthritis Information

 

Pattern of joints affected — Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects the same joints on both sides of the body.

In the early stages, rheumatoid arthritis typically affects small joints, especially the joints at the base of the fingers, the joints in the middle of the fingers, and the joints at the base of the toes. It may also begin in a single, large joint, such as the knee or shoulder, or it may come and go and move from one joint to another.

As the condition progresses, most people have inflammation of the joints in the arms or legs, and between 20 to 50 percent of people have inflammation of the large central joints (eg, hips) and spine.

Joint symptoms — The joint symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis usually begin gradually and include pain and stiffness, redness, warmth to the touch, and joint swelling.

The joint stiffness is most bothersome in the morning and after sitting still for a period of time. The stiffness can persist for more than one hour.

• Hands — The joints of the hands are often the very first joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis. These joints are tender when squeezed, and the hand's grip strength is often reduced. Occasionally, rheumatoid arthritis may lead to visible redness and swelling of the entire hand.
  
  Between 1 and 5 percent of people with rheumatoid arthritis develop carpal tunnel syndrome because swelling compresses a nerve that runs through the wrist; this syndrome is characterized by weakness, tingling, and numbness of certain areas of the hand.
  
  Certain characteristic hand deformities can occur with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis. The fingers may develop characteristic, exaggerated profiles, called swan neck deformities (picture 1) and boutonniere deformities, and may drift together in the direction of the small finger. The tendons on the back of the hand may become very prominent and tight, called the bow string sign.
• Wrist — The wrist is the most commonly affected joint of the arm in people with rheumatoid arthritis. In the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis, it may become difficult to bend the wrist backward.
• Elbow — Rheumatoid arthritis may cause inflammation of the elbow. Swelling of this joint may compress nerves that travel through the arm and cause numbness or tingling in the fingers.
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• Shoulder — The shoulder may be inflamed in the later stages of rheumatoid arthritis, causing pain and limited motion.
• Foot — The joints of the feet are often affected in the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis, especially the joints at the base of the toes. Tenderness at these joints may cause a person to stand and walk with his or her weight on the heels, with the toes bent upward. The top of the foot may be swollen and red and, occasionally, the heel may be painful.
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• Ankle — Rheumatoid arthritis may cause inflammation of the ankle. Inflammation of this joint may cause nerve damage, leading to numbness and tingling in the foot.
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• Knee — Rheumatoid arthritis may cause swelling of the knee, difficulty bending the knee, excessive looseness of the ligaments that surround and support the knee, and damage of the ends of the bones that meet at the knee. Rheumatoid arthritis may also cause the formation of a Baker's cyst (a cyst filled with joint fluid and located in the hollow space at the back of the knee).
• Hips — The hips may become inflamed in the later stages of rheumatoid arthritis. Pain in the hips may make it difficult to walk.
• Cervical spine — Rheumatoid arthritis may cause inflammation of the cervical spine, which is the area between the shoulders and the base of the head. Inflammation of the cervical spine may cause a painful and stiff neck and a decreased ability to bend the neck and turn the head.
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• Cricoarytenoid joint — In about 30 percent of people with rheumatoid arthritis, there is inflammation of a joint near the windpipe called the cricoarytenoid joint. Inflammation of this joint can cause hoarseness and difficulty breathing.

To read the rest of this concerning RA and its symptoms, disgnosis, etc:

http://www.uptodate.com/contents/patient-information-rheumatoid-arthritis-symptoms-and-diagnosis Lynn492011-04-22 05:43:11Great information! Bumping for new member Mindy1204. Thanks for the bump, Gale! Bumping again! thanks Lynn!!I for one, enjoy all the informative posts by Lynn and others. That's what this forum is about...sharing information and being supportive of one another, regardless of what treatment course we each decide. Thanks again Lynn. [QUOTE=Brisen]I for one, enjoy all the informative posts by Lynn and others. That's what this forum is about...sharing information and being supportive of one another, regardless of what treatment course we each decide. Thanks again Lynn. [/QUOTE] Thanks Gale, Marie and Babs,