Roohealthcare.com – Symptoms of Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Hands vary. Most patients exhibit joint pain, swelling, limited range of motion, and stiffness. In the hands, swelling typically involves the metacarpophalangeal joints, and patients can experience morning stiffness lasting an hour or longer. Patients may also be unable to perform daily activities due to decreased strength and range of motion in their hands.
Pain is a Characteristic of Rheumatoid Arthritis
People with a family history of the disease are more likely to develop it than someone without. They may also inherit a family history of the disease. Early symptoms of this condition may include joint pain, stiffness, and a tendency to develop bony nodules on the fingers or wrist. Pain is the hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis, but stiffness and swelling can occur with other conditions.
Surgery may be necessary to relieve pain or restore function. While medications can help ease pain, surgery is generally reserved for severe cases. Surgical intervention can fix deformed joints, fuse joints, or repair tendons. If medication is ineffective, the patient may choose to undergo a joint replacement. A surgeon will discuss the best surgical procedure for early Rheumatoid Arthritis Hands.
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis hands vary from person to person, but typically include joint pain and swelling. These symptoms can affect both sides of the body equally. Some people with rheumatoid arthritis report having mild hand swelling and pain that makes it difficult to carry out daily tasks. The disease is typically symmetrical, so a small swelling in the hand can be hard to notice.
Cortisone Injections Reduce Inflammation
Treatment for early Rheumatoid Arthritis Hands includes anti-inflammatory medications, exercise, and cortisone injections. Cortisone injections reduce inflammation but do not stop the progression of the disease. Surgical evaluation may be required. If cortisone injections are not enough to relieve the symptoms, rheumatologists may suggest surgery.
Early RA Hands often affects the small joints in the wrist, fingers, and forearm. The proximal interphalangeal joint and middle knuckle are most common joints involved in RA. The distal interphalangeal joint and 1st carpometacarpal joint are less frequently affected. Hand involvement can affect the forearm, ulna, and radius bones.
Other symptoms of Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Hands include decreased dexterity, numbness, and weakness. It may also lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, loss of range of motion, and other problems. People with early RA Hands should seek medical care at the first sign of symptoms. They may need to modify their lifestyle or make adjustments to medication.
Combination of Medicines to Relieve Pain and Inflammation
Anti-inflammatory medications are cornerstones of rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Depending on the severity and stage of the disease, your doctor may prescribe an NSAID or a combination of medications to ease the pain and inflammation. Anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen or naproxen is also often prescribed for mild joint pain. NSAIDs can also reduce the risk of joint damage. Prednisone is an important part of rheumatoid Arthritis Hands.
Another symptom of rheumatoid arthritis is a butterfly rash over the bridge of the nose and cheeks. Patients with this condition may also experience chronic vaginal inflammation. However, patients with early rheumatoid Arthritis Hands may experience a range of other symptoms and require additional medications. Occasionally, patients may experience an increase in their risk for lymphoma, which is an aggressive form of the disease.
Patients with symmetric synovitis and bone erosion often progress to RA at one year after diagnosis. Some patients experience joint space narrowing, erosions, or subluxation in the hands. Plain radiography is a standard diagnostic method in patients with early RA. Some patients show symptoms on different days or wax and wane from day to day. Inflammation is a major component of early RA hands. Patients may experience fever infrequently but this is usually low-grade. A higher grade of fever should be evaluated for infectious causes, especially if they are taking immunosuppressive medications or biological therapies.