Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that significantly impacts various joints in the body, including those in the hands and fingers. One of the hallmark signs of RA is pain and soreness in the hands and fingers, which may begin suddenly and intensify within 24 to 48 hours. The condition particularly targets the knuckles at the base of the fingers, known as the MCP joints, and can lead to a range of symptoms and complications.
People with hand RA typically experience both joint soreness and pain during hand movements. RA in hands affects the wrist and finger joints, leading to symptoms like pain, swelling, stiffness, numbness, and tingling similar to carpal tunnel syndrome. Notably, joints may become warm and tender to the touch, and misshapen joints in the wrist or fingers can occur. Symptoms are usually experienced in both hands.
A unique sign of rheumatoid arthritis is fingers drifting away from the thumb (Figure 2), and a Boutonniere deformity, characterized by a bent middle finger joint (Figure 3). Complications of RA in the hands can extend beyond joint issues, such as compressing the nerve that serves the hand and fingers if the wrists are affected, and increasing the risk of heart problems.
Management of RA in the hands involves various treatment options. These include hand exercises, anti-inflammatory drugs or supplements, application of heat or cold, wearing a splint, and more advanced treatments like prescription medication or cortisone injections. While these treatments can help manage pain and other symptoms, it’s important to note that they do not cure the disease.
For more detailed information, explore the following resources:
Verywell Health
Verywell Health
Verywell Health
The Hand Society
Rheumatoid Arthritis.org
WebMD
Mayo Clinic
Harvard Health
US News Health
Cleveland Clinic
