Answer Summary

Members confirmed that tender lumps near joints are indeed related to rheumatoid arthritis, commonly called nodules, and shared that they... Read more

Members confirmed that tender lumps near joints are indeed related to rheumatoid arthritis, commonly called nodules, and shared that they appear most often on fingers, wrists, thumbs, and elbows, though not everyone with RA develops them. Several members described treatments that have helped reduce nodule size and pain, including prednisone, methotrexate, steroid injections, and heat therapy, though some noted that nothing seems to relieve the swelling completely. A recurring theme was reassuring the original poster that while nodules can be painful and unsightly, they are a recognized part of RA and can sometimes improve with proper treatment.