What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term autoimmune condition. This means your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. In rheumatoid arthritis, this causes inflammation in the joints. Over time, inflammation can lead to pain, swelling, stiffness, and joint damage.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. This means your immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of your joints.
Over time, this inflammation can damage cartilage, bone, and surrounding tissues, leading to pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of function.
Unlike osteoarthritis, which develops through wear and tear, rheumatoid arthritis is driven by immune system activity and may affect multiple joints simultaneously.
In some people, rheumatoid arthritis can also affect other parts of the body, such as the eyes, lungs, blood vessels, and heart.
What are the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms often develop slowly. They may come and go or change over time.
Common symptoms include:
- Joint pain
- Joint swelling
- Morning stiffness lasting longer than 30 minutes
- Warmth around affected joints
- Fatigue
- Low-grade fever
- Weakness
- Reduced mobility
- Difficulty using affected joints
Rheumatoid arthritis commonly affects:
- Hands
- Wrists
- Fingers
- Feet
- Ankles
Symptoms often occur on both sides of the body.
Without appropriate treatment, ongoing inflammation can lead to permanent joint damage. Early diagnosis and treatment can help for rheumatoid arthritis and determine the most appropriate treatment pathway.
How do we diagnose rheumatoid arthritis?
Investigations for rheumatoid arthritis may include:
- Autoimmune markers Rheumatoid factor (RF) and Anti-CCP antibody
- Blood tests that look for signs of inflammation, such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate, or ESR, and C-reactive protein, or CRP
- X-rays
- Ultrasound imaging
- MRI scanning
No single test can confirm rheumatoid arthritis on its own. Dr Nuttall will make a diagnosis based on your symptoms, examination, blood test results and imaging findings.
Rheumatoid arthritis treatment:
Treatment aims to reduce inflammation, ease symptoms, prevent joint damage, and help you stay active.
Your personalised treatment plan may include:
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, also called DMARDs (Methotrexate, Sulfasalazine, Leflunomide and Hydroxychloroquine). These medicines help slow the disease and protect the joints.
- Biologic therapies, which target specific parts of the immune system (Eg. Adalimumab, Etanercept, Tocilizumab, Rituximab).
- Targeted synthetic medicines, which help reduce inflammation by blocking certain immune system signals (eg Upadacitinib).
- Steroid tablets or injections into the joints or soft tissues
- Anti-inflammatory medicines to help reduce pain and swelling.
- Physical therapy to support strength, movement and function.
- Lifestyle and exercise recommendations.
- Ongoing monitoring and follow-up care.
Dr Nuttall will tailor treatment to reduce inflammation, improve mobility, and support long-term joint health.
