Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy joint tissue, causing inflammation, pain, and swelling. Over time, this can lead to joint damage and deformity if left untreated.
RA most commonly affects joints in the
- Hands and wrists
- Feet and ankles
- Elbows and Show Full Answer
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy joint tissue, causing inflammation, pain, and swelling. Over time, this can lead to joint damage and deformity if left untreated.
RA most commonly affects joints in the:
- Hands and wrists
- Feet and ankles
- Elbows and knees
A hallmark of RA is that it tends to be symmetrical, meaning both sides of the body are usually affected — for example, both wrists or both knees at the same time. RA affects more than 1.3 million people in the United States. It is about two to three times more common in women than in men, and typically develops between the ages of 30 and 60, though it can occur at any age.
Treatment focuses on calming the immune system to reduce inflammation and slow joint damage. Common approaches include:
- DMARDs (like methotrexate) to slow disease progression
- Biologics (like adalimumab) to target specific parts of the immune response
- NSAIDs to help manage pain and inflammation
- Lifestyle changes like exercise, a healthy diet, and not smoking
October 10
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