Derek L. Hill, D.O.

Fellowship-Trained Orthopedic Surgeon and Specialist

Signs & Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Menopausal-SymptomsRheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which cells from the immune system attack multiple joints in the body. Symptoms of this polyarthritis include painful joints which can also be red and swollen.

Joint stiffness is another significant symptom of rheumatoid arthritis and it is usually worse in the morning. This rigidity lasts for at least one hour and it is associated with difficulties completing everyday activities. Movement generally becomes easier as the day progresses and the joints loosen up.

The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that rheumatoid arthritis affects joints on both sides of the body symmetrically. The most commonly affected joints are those of the hands, wrists and feet, although the elbows, knees, hips and shoulders can also be affected.

Other symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis according to Arthritis Research include fatigue, irritability, depression, weight loss and generally feeling unwell. The University of Maryland Medical Center also states that children with rheumatoid arthritis can develop a high fever, chills and a pink rash.

The Arthritis Foundation reports that these symptoms usually vary from patient to patient and from day to day. They usually begin insidiously though some persons develop periods of increased severe symptoms. These periods, which are known as flares, can last from a few days to several weeks.

The signs of rheumatoid arthritis include tender joints which are warm to the touch. They may also feel spongy or boggy.

Red eyes, which are caused by scleritis or inflammation of the blood vessels in the eyes, is another sign of this condition which can affect numerous organs in the body.

Rheumatoid nodules, which may be palpated by the doctor, are other signs of rheumatoid arthritis. These pea-size, fleshy lumps usually develop under the skin on the elbows, the hands and feet. In some rare situations they may become painful and infected, especially if they develop around the ankles.

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Rheumatoid Arthritis Tied to Increased Risk of Broken Bones

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Senior woman having headacheFrom scientific studies that have been conducted, research has linked rheumatoid arthritis to an increase in broken bones/fractures.

Rheumatoid arthritis is “a form of inflammatory arthritis and an autoimmune disease. In rheumatoid arthritis the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, specifically the synovium, a thin membrane that lines the joints. As a result of the attack, fluid builds up in the joints, causing pain in the joints and inflammation that’s systemic – meaning it can occur throughout the body.” (Arthritis.org) Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that cannot be cured.

According to the Huffingtonpost, “In a new study looking at more than 2,300 adults, researchers at the Mayo Clinic found that women under 50 with rheumatoid arthritis are also at greater risk of breaking bones than those without the disease. Men also saw greater risk of fractures, but the risk did not increase until they were older.” Research has tied rheumatoid arthritis with an increased risk of osteoporosis and accelerated bone loss. Those that are over 50 are more likely to break a bone, however those as young as age 25 can start to see symptoms.

A 2004 report from the Surgeon General estimates that 1.5 million osteoporotic fractures occur each year, leading to more than half a million hospitalizations and between $12 and $18 billion in direct care costs. Rheumatoid arthritis may be a direct cause of the problem. Certain proteins that drive inflammation in the joints of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers also seem to have an effect on bone cells, ultimately causing increased loss of the cells. (Huffingtonpost)

According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, “Studies have found an increased risk of bone loss and fracture in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. To begin with, the glucocorticoid medications often prescribed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis can trigger significant bone loss. In addition, pain and loss of joint function caused by the disease can result in inactivity, further increasing osteoporosis risk.

Studies also show that bone loss in rheumatoid arthritis may occur as a direct result of the disease. The bone loss is most pronounced in areas immediately surrounding the affected joints. Of concern is the fact that women, a group already at increased risk for osteoporosis, are two to three times more likely than men to have rheumatoid arthritis as well.”

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References:

  • “What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?” Arthritis.org. .
  • “Rheumatoid Arthritis Tied To Increased Risk Of Broken Bones In Young Women.” Huffingtonpost.com. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/04/rheumatoid-arthritis-risk-of-broken-bones_n_1076914.html.
  • “What People With Rheumatoid Arthritis Need to Know About Osteoporosis.” National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.