Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis can start in any joint, but it most commonly begins in the smaller joints of fingers, hands and wrists. Joint involvement is usually symmetrical i.e. if a joint hurts on the left hand the same joint will hurt on the right hand.

Symptoms related to the joints include:

Pain - Pain is present both at rest and during movement. The intensity of pain is felt more during movement than at rest. The pain is dull natured.
Tenderness - Tenderness is present over the affected joints and can be caused by a gentle pressure on the affected area by means of touch or pressure of clothes.
Morning stiffness - The joints become stiff especially after waking up in the morning.
Loss of movement in joint and joint deformity - Over a period of time, joints may lose their range of motion and may become deformed.

Systemic symptoms may include:

Fatigue
Loss of energy
Lack of appetite
Low grade fever
Chest pain while breathing in
Dry eyes and mouth (Sjogren’s syndrome)
Burning and itching of the eye; and discharge from the eye
Nodules beneath the skin
Numbness, tingling or burning in the hands and feet
Sleep disturbances

Published on Nov 22, 2014
Last Updated on Jul 28, 2021

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Dr. Trupti Shirole. "Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis". Medindia. https://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/what-are-the-symptoms-of-rheumatoid-arthritis.htm. (accessed May 26, 2022).
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tigersue51

Hi what is the generic pill for methotrexate?

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kiel888

I have RA,and the causes are the food I eat,when I work so hard and tired and then accidentally. i washed my hands with cold water.

Don't eat all kinds of beans, peanuts, vegetables with high uric acid like cabbage and fish with so much blood...red meats...

raksha22

my name is raksha thaker I suffering from Rhematoid Artritis since ten years guide me

Diwata

I'm 39 yrs. old now, but I started feeling pain in my joints [knees and ankles] when I was very young. As I grow older, the swelling includes my fingers and wrest. When I was in college, my joints in ankles, knees, wrest and finger were inflamed. I can't even walk and use the toilet by myself. My parents could not send me to a doctor because medication is not included in the budget and is very expensive. When I start working, its my neck that is inflamed. Finally I had the chance to see a doctor. It was seen in my x-ray that I had spurs in my cervical spine 3,4 and 5, that's why my hands sometimes are weak and numb. 4 yrs ago, my doctor asked me to undergo MRI, but until now I did not do it because it cost a lot. thanks to this website, I learn more about my condition.

imranphysio99

why did u nt gone to rhematic department of kolkata medical college,one of the best hospital for rheumatism disease. imran