Learn about the four stages of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from early-stage to end-stage, and discover how they affect the body’s health. Find out how RA progresses, what treatments are available, and how to manage it effectively.
Joint stiffness that is usually worse in the mornings and after inactivity, fatigue, fever, and loss of appetite are common symptoms. Early rheumatoid arthritis tends to affect your smaller joints first — particularly the joints that attach your fingers to your hands and your toes to your feet. As the disease progresses, symptoms often spread to the wrists, knees, and other joints.
Diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis can be challenging in its early stages because the early signs and symptoms mimic those of many other diseases. There is no one blood test or physical finding to confirm the diagnosis. During the physical exam, your doctor will check your joints for swelling, redness, and warmth.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a type of inflammatory arthritis that primarily affects the joints of the hands, wrists, and knees, but it can affect any joint in the body. Beyond early-stage rheumatoid arthritis in the hands, some people experience RA that can damage other body systems, including the skin, eyes, heart, and blood vessels.
Stages of Rheumatoid Arthritis:
Stage 1: In the early stages, your joint lining, or synovium, becomes inflamed. The bones aren’t damaged at this point.
Stage 2: The disease progresses, and inflammation increases, leading to more damage in the affected joints and surrounding tissues.
Stage 3: The inflammatory process continues, and cartilage in the joints starts to break down. You may experience more pain and difficulty moving.
Stage 4: This is the most severe stage of RA, where the inflammatory process has caused significant joint damage, and bones may start to rub against each other. Surgery may be necessary at this stage.
There are treatments available for each stage of RA, and early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to managing the disease effectively.
Rheumatoid arthritis often begins with minor symptoms, but over time the symptoms can become more severe. The early stage symptoms of RA don’t always include swelling and redness in the joints, but these symptoms may develop as the disease progresses.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is often a progressive disease, meaning that it tends to worsen over time, especially if left untreated. While each case of RA is unique, most people experience four stages of RA as their condition progresses. Healthcare providers know that the disease will get worse and progress through these stages if it isn’t properly treated.
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