Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that significantly affects the joints in the hands, leading to pain, swelling, and eventual impairment of hand functions. This condition, with a prevalence of 0.5-1%, tends to have a female preponderance and can manifest in various stages, with early signs appearing in small joints such as fingers, thumbs, and wrists.
The initial symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in the hands often include pain and swelling without a clear cause. As the disease progresses, more severe symptoms and joint deformities can develop if left untreated. Commonly affected areas are the proximal interphalangeal (PIP), metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints, and the wrist. The distal interphalangeal joints, however, are the least likely to be affected in the early stages.
Patients with RA in the hands may also experience symptoms in the joints between the wrist and forearms and the middle knuckles in the fingers. One notable symptom is hand or finger weakness, which can arise due to persistent swelling, reducing motion in the joints and limiting muscle effectiveness.
Other symptoms include soft lumps over the back of the hand that move with finger lifting, a creaking sound during movement, and fingers shifting towards the pinky finger. In some cases, blood tests may not show any sign of RA antibodies, making diagnosis challenging.
Effective management and treatment of hand rheumatoid arthritis are crucial. Without proper treatment, it can become a chronic, disabling condition, starting usually in middle age. Treatment strategies often involve a combination of medication, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery.
For a detailed understanding of rheumatoid arthritis in the hands, including its imaging features, stages of progression, and more, visit the provided links.
