Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis: this condition is a form of inflammatory arthritis that affects the joints in the hands as well as the fingers, but typically does not involve the joints closest to the tips of the fingers.

The body reacts to its own tissue and causes destruction and inflammation of the tissue in and around the joints. Multiple joints are typically involved. Signs/symptoms can include redness, swelling, pain, deformity, or loss of wrist/hand/finger motion and function.

Treatment

Treatment initially is conservative or nonsurgical and involves controlling the inflammatory process in the body. Options include selective steroid injections, medical management best monitored with a rheumatologist, splinting, or activity modifications.

Surgery

Many different surgical options are available ranging from removal of the inflamed tissue (synovectomy) to replacing the involved joints, or fusion of the involved joints. Treatment depends on the stage of the rheumatoid arthritis, amount of destruction of the joint, amount of deformity of the wrist/hand/fingers, and expectations of the patient