Osteoarthritis. The most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis (OA), is a degenerative joint disease that can be similar to RA.
Signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis may include: Tender, warm, swollen joints. Joint stiffness that is usually worse in the mornings and after inactivity. Fatigue, fever and loss of appetite.
Like many autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be notoriously difficult to diagnose, especially in the early stages. In fact, nearly half of people diagnosed with RA may actually have another condition, according to a study in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases.
RA is symmetrical, where a patient feels symptoms in the same spot on both sides of the body, often in the joints in the feet and hands. Osteoarthritis, in contrast, begins in an isolated joint, often in the knee, fingers, hands, spine and hips. While both sides may hurt, one side is more painful.
Rheumatoid arthritis can be one of the most painful types of arthritis; it affects joints as well as other surrounding tissues, including organs. This inflammatory, autoimmune disease attacks healthy cells by mistake, causing painful swelling in the joints, like hands, wrists and knees.
OA usually affects fewer joints, and its symptoms are generally limited to the joints. The progression of RA is more difficult to predict, and it can cause more widespread symptoms. The outlook for people with RA has greatly improved due to advances in research and therapies.
Imaging Tests
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound may help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis in the early stages of the disease. In addition, these imaging tests can help evaluate the amount of damage in the joints and the severity of the disease.
For decades, X-rays were used to help detect rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and monitor for worsening bone damage. In the early stages of RA, however, X-rays may appear normal although the disease is active, making the films useful as a baseline but not much help in getting a timely diagnosis and treatment.
Rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult to diagnose because many conditions cause joint stiffness and inflammation and there's no definitive test for the condition. See a GP if you have these symptoms so they can try to determine the cause.
What causes RA? RA is the result of an immune response in which the body's immune system attacks its own healthy cells. The specific causes of RA are unknown, but some factors can increase the risk of developing the disease.
The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis often develop gradually over several weeks, but some cases can progress quickly over a number of days. The symptoms vary from person to person. They can come and go, and may change over time.
These symptoms are clues to RA: Joint pain, tenderness, swelling or stiffness that lasts for six weeks or longer. Morning stiffness that lasts for 30 minutes or longer. More than one joint is affected.
Visibly swollen and tender joints can be a common sign. “It is a good idea to monitor which of your joints are affected by pain, stiffness, and/or swelling, as these may change from day to day and may increase over time, especially if your disease is undertreated,” said Dr. Ghosh.
Tendinitis is an inflammation or irritation of a tendon, usually where it attaches to a joint. It can occur in any of your tendons and commonly affects areas around your shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and heels. Symptoms of tendinitis include: A dull pain worsening with movement.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows changes in bone and cartilage and can discriminate these from fluid and soft tissue around the joints, making it a good technique to measure synovial volume and inflammation characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
If a relative (parent, sibling, etc.) has RA, it increases one's risk of getting the disease, 0.8% compared to 0.5% for those who have no family history. Another study, conducted on identical twins, found that if one twin has RA, there is a 12-15% chance the other one will also have it.
No single blood test can reliably diagnose RA. Some healthy people test positive for anti-CCPs, while others who have RA have negative test results. Blood tests are just one of several factors, including a medical history, physical exam and X-rays, that help doctors diagnose the disease.
The hallmark feature of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is persistent symmetric polyarthritis (synovitis) that affects the hands and feet, though any joint lined by a synovial membrane may be involved. Extra-articular involvement of organs such as the skin, heart, lungs, and eyes can be significant.
Methotrexate is effective in reducing the signs and symptoms of RA, as well as slowing or halting radiographic damage.
We focus especially on the following for the purposes of diagnosis: We perform a thorough medical history, with particular attention to joint pain, reported swelling, and the presence, location (peripheral joints rather than low back), and duration (at least 30 minutes) of morning stiffness.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is recognized as the most disabling type of arthritis.
Use imaging tests like X-rays.
These can often tell what kind of arthritis you have. X-rays are used to diagnose osteoarthritis, often showing a loss of cartilage, bone spurs, and in severe cases, bone rubbing against bone.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. Some people call it degenerative joint disease or “wear and tear” arthritis.