Rheumatoid Arthritis

With Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), your immune system attacks your body’s tissues and causes painful swelling of the joints. The most obvious signs are in the hands and feet. Imaging tests like X-ray computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) help doctors assess the severity of joint damage.

One of the distinguishing features of RA is seen in the hands. Swelling in the knuckle joints and wrists leads to severe pain and stiffness, especially in the morning. Chronic inflammation can cause the fingers to twist outward and can take a toll on fine motor skills. In advanced cases of RA, the hands can become disfigured and interfere with the quality of life.

Nonsurgical treatments involve medications, injections, and splinting. Splinting helps support the joints but shouldn’t be worn for too long, as it leads to muscle deterioration. If these treatments don’t work, you may need surgery.