JOINT DEFORMITIES IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
RA is an immune system disorder where the body attacks its own joint tissue. Inflammation occurs in the lining of the joints that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness, and pain. With continued disease activity, RA can cause permananet joint damage within months. If left untreated, there will be a high risk of various joint deformities. Here are some common examples:
BOUTINNIERE’S DEFORMITY: Here, destruction in the “knuckle joints” create muscle imbalances that cause permanent stiffness in the finger.
SWAN-NECK DEFORMITY: Here is another variation of permanent stiffness and loss of function in a finger that has damage in the “knuckle joints”.
THUMB DEFORMITY: RA causes a particular problem in the thumb, where joint destruction leads to the thumb being stuck in an extended position at its end. Referred to as “hitchhiker’s thumb”, this deformity causes a dramatic loss of function.
WRIST DEFORMITY: There are 8 bones in the wrist with a complicated arrangement of several joints that connect the hand to the forearm. RA can cause extensive destruction of the wrist, leading to painful deformities and loss of motion.
The best treatment for RA related joint deformities is to prevent inflammation from occurring. Otherwise, once the destruction has begun it tends to progress, and you can only slow it down so much. See your rheumatologist to start medications that can actually stop the RA from progressing.
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