Rheumatoid Arthritis

The definition of arthritis is inflammation (chemical reaction usually in response to injury or infection) of a joint. Rheumatoid arthritis is a special type of arthritis mainly involving the small joints in your hands and feet. It is a chronic (long term) disease.

The age of onset is between twenty to forty years of age, although the "juvenile" variant does occur in children. Women are three times more likely to deal with Rheumatoid and there may be a hereditary component.

For unknown reasons, the defense system of your body attacks the lining of joints (synovium) by mistake, activating them to thicken. As this growth extends into the joint it results in destruction of cartilage and bone. The damage can be severe enough to deform the joints, making them swollen and difficult to move. A characteristic feature of Rheumatoid arthritis is that there is symmetric involvement of multiple joints at once. For example, the same joints invaded on the right hand, will also be the ones attacked on the left hand.

It should be noted that this type of arthritis can also affect other organs in your body, such as your skin, eyes, lungs, blood vessels, nerves and kidneys. In the long run, there is an increased risk of developing osteoporosis , scarring of the lungs and heart problems.

When to seek expert advise

If you experience any of the above mentioned symptoms, it is best to consult the Musculoskeletal and Sports Medicine Service Line at The Aga Khan University Hospital. Early detection and treatment is vital to improve function and prevent long term disability.  
You can also consult the Family Health Services for continuous screenings or a preliminary examination.

Imagery