Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that primarily affects joints. While it can occur at any joint in the body, early rheumatoid arthritis often targets smaller joints, especially those in the hands and feet. As RA progresses, symptoms typically extend to larger joints like wrists, knees, ankles, elbows, hips, and shoulders. This condition is usually symmetrical, meaning it affects the same joints on both sides of the body.
One of the key symptoms of RA in the hands includes pain and soreness in the joints and fingers. This discomfort can arise suddenly and intensify rapidly within a day or two. People with RA often experience a combination of joint soreness and pain during hand movements. Other notable symptoms in the hands and wrists are a soft lump over the back of the hand that moves with finger lifting, a creaking sound during movement, fingers shifting towards the pinky finger, swelling and inflammation of tendons, and a clicking sound when moving the fingers.
In the initial stage of RA, individuals may notice stiffness and pain in their hands, which tend to improve with movement. However, the lack of more pronounced symptoms can make early diagnosis challenging for doctors.
Hand deformities are a significant concern in RA. Contrary to common belief, RA isn’t just a joint disease; it can severely affect joint appearance and function. For instance, in the hands, RA may cause deformities in the finger joints, making hand movements difficult. Inflammatory arthritis typically begins in the small joints of the hands, commonly involving the metacarpophalangeal joints, proximal interphalangeal joints, and the wrist joints. This bilateral and symmetrical pattern is characteristic of RA.
For more detailed information about rheumatoid arthritis in hands, visit Mayo Clinic, Verywell Health, The Hand Society, Medical News Today, Healthline, NCBI Bookshelf, and Johns Hopkins Medicine for comprehensive insights.
