Early Stages of Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Wrist
- RA is an autoimmune disorder that affects the lining of small joints, such as the hands, wrist, ankles and feet. This can eventually lead to joint deformity and bone erosion.
- The smaller joints, such as the wrist, are usually the ones that affected by RA first, followed by larger joints, such as the shoulders, hips and knees.
- Symmetrical (affecting both wrists) joint pain and swelling are often the first noticeable symptoms of RA in the wrists. These symptoms may flare up and then disappear on a regular basis.
- Other symptoms of early stages of RA include red and puffy hands, bumps of tissue under the skin on your arms, fatigue, morning stiffness, fever and weight loss.
- You should consult your doctor if you have consistent pain and swelling in both of your wrists.