Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Finger Joint

Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease. This means the body's own defence mechanisms go into action when there's no threat and the attack is upon itself. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis the immune system attacks the joints and sometimes other parts of the body. Antibodies are formed against the synovium which is the tissue that surrounds a synovial joint. This causes inflammation in and around affected joints. Over time, the inflammation can damage the joint, the cartilage, and parts of the bone near to the joint. Eventually complete loss of mobility occurs as the joint extension is impossible due to the advanced osteoporisis.

The symptons of Rheumatoid Arthritis are pain and swelling arround the joint, stiffness with less ability to grip. A overall feeling of tiredness, with flu like symptons, some weight loss and fleshy lumps can appear on hands feet and elbows.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a common disease affecting about 1% of the population in western countries. People of all ages can develop the condition, but it most commonly starts between the ages of 30 and 50. Statistics show that three times as many women are affected then men.

Please click on the images for a larger view of each. Please see further illustrations on rheumatoid arthritis here in this gallery.

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Healthy index finger and one with rheumatoid arthritis

Synovitis - the inital stage of rheumatoid arthritis development

Pannus - further development from rheumatoid arthritis

 

Fibrous ankylosis of the joint from rheumatoid arthritis

Bony ankylosis is the last stage of rheumatoid arthritis

All illustrated stages of Rheumatoid Arthritis of the finger joint