My RA was initiated by a major back surgery. I have Degenerative Disk Disease which cause scoliosis in my spine. I ended up having to have a four level @fusion with rods, screws and spinal cage. After about 2 wks post op my knees starts to swell and hurt. I didn't know why,just thought it was from the therapy I was doing. This continued periodically for a few months. Then both my wrist swelled, My left wrist had such pain that I had to go to the ER in the middle of the night. The nurse looked at my wrist and said you have RA don't you. I said I don't think so. The following day I saw my GP, he did blood work and said I did have RA and sent me to a Rhumy. I later had to have surgery on that wrist, the swelling never went out of it, the orthopedist that did the surgery said the fluids in that wrist had turned to a thick gel.

I was diagnosed following a major spinal surgery. 2 months after surgery while in rehab both knees swelled up like balloons and couldnt bend them. My therapist ask me then if I had ra, after this happend a couple more times she told me to ask my gp to test me which I did , the test was positive.

I believe trauma is a trigger, also physical health and emotional problems. Mine was triggered by surgery. But it's my opinion and not evidence based.

I believe this to be true. My RA symptoms started right after my best friend died of Breast cancer. I was living with her in the end to care for her. Once I got home and started gardening, my hands were swollen and sore. I had no idea what was going on.