Rheumatoid Hand

If a person with a rheumatic disease notices that their hands swell, hurt, or lose mobility, a specialized evaluation is worthwhile to understand what is happening. What is called rheumatic hand is the involvement of the hand joints by inflammatory diseases of the musculoskeletal system, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Common symptoms: pain and swelling in the finger joints, stiffness especially in the mornings and, over time, changes in the shape or alignment of the hand.

Common causes: it is related to chronic inflammatory processes that affect the joints and the tissues surrounding them.

Which specialist treats it? The rheumatologist studies the underlying disease, while the hand surgeon and the orthopedist step in when there is advanced joint damage. Seeking early care favors the care of hand function.