Orthopedics and Rheumatology

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a longterm disease that causes pain, stiffness, swelling and limited motion and function of many joints. Rheumatoid Arthritis can affect any joint in our body , the small joints in the hands and feet. Inflammation sometimes can affect organs as well, the eyes or lungs. The stiffness seen in active Rheumatoid Arthritis is mostly worst in the morning. It may remain one to two hours (or even the whole day). Stiffness remain long time in the morning is a indication that you may have Rheumatoid Arthritis. For instance, osteoarthritis often does not cause prolonged morning stiffness.

Other signs and symptoms that can occur in Rheumatoid Arthritis include: Loss of energy, Low fevers, Loss of appetite, Dry eyes, Sjogren's syndrome.