Signs and Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) develops when the immune system invades and attacks the synovium — the thin tissue lining the protective capsules around the body’s joints (the place where two bones meet).
This autoimmune attack causes joint inflammation, the hallmark of RA. When inflamed, the synovium releases damaging chemicals to nearby areas.
Over time, inflammation can not only damage and deform the joints — and the cartilage and bones within the joints — but it can also affect surrounding muscles, ligaments, and tendons that support the joints.
How Rheumatoid Arthritis Progresses
RA can develop in many different ways, but there are two general patterns of progression: the more common “classic” disease progression and the less common palindromic rheumatism disease progression.
Classic Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Progression
The main signs of RA are joint swelling, pain, and stiffness.
Most cases of RA are polyarticular, meaning the disease affects five or more joints at once. Some people experience a sudden onset of polyarticular symptoms over 24 to 48 hours.
Palindromic Rheumatism Disease Progression
Though most people experience this classic disease progression, others experience palindromic rheumatism.
What Are Common Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis?
- Pain
- Swelling
- Stiffness, especially in the morning
- Redness
- Warmth
Sometimes, systemic symptoms (those that affect the whole body) precede joint symptoms by weeks to months and may be an early sign of RA.
- Fatigue or tiredness
- Malaise
- Depression
- Low-grade fever
- Decreased appetite and weight loss
- Sweating
- Swan-neck, in which the joint at the base of the finger and the outermost joint bend in while the middle joint straightens
- Hitchhiker’s thumb (also known as Z-shaped deformity), in which the joint at the base of the thumb bends in and the joint below the thumbnail bends backward
- Hammertoe (or claw toe), in which the toes either bend up from the joints at the ball of the foot, down at the middle joints, or down at the top toe joints (curling under the foot)
- Boutonnière, in which the joint nearest the knuckle bends toward the palm and the outer joint bends away from it, per OrthoInfo
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Rheumatoid Arthritis and Morning Stiffness Symptoms
It’s unknown what exactly causes RA-related morning stiffness. It may be related to circadian rhythms and natural activation of inflammatory processes at night.
What Are Rheumatoid Nodules?
It is the most frequent skin manifestation of RA and develops when the small blood vessels become inflamed.
- Feet and heels
- Knees
- Fingers
- Back of the head
- Base of the spine
- Tendons of the hand
- Achilles tendon
Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
Less commonly, rheumatoid arthritis affects more than just the joints, especially in more progressive forms of the disease. People with RA may experience various other issues depending on where their inflammation is located.
- Eye pain and vision problems from inflammation in the eye
- Dry eyes and dry mouth from Sjogren’s syndrome, an inflammatory condition of the tear and saliva glands that affects 10 to 15 percent of people with RA
- Pericarditis, or painful breathing and chest pain from inflammation of the tissue lining the chest cavity and surrounding the heart
- Pleurisy, an inflammation of the lining of the lung causing pain and shortness of breath
- Tingling, pain, numbness, or burning sensation in hands and feet from an inflammation affecting the nerves
- Fatigue, muscle pain, kidney problems, rash, weight loss, and other issues from vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels)
What Are Rheumatoid Arthritis Flares, or Flare-Ups?
The severity of RA symptoms varies. Some days, the joints may feel normal; on other days, RA-related pain and swelling may seem unbearable.
These episodes of increased disease activity are called flares, and they’re an indication that the immune system is attacking the body more than usual.
Flares can be predictable, brought on by specific triggers. Known triggers include physical stress, such as from exercise, surgery, injuries, infections, or medication changes, or from emotional stress, such as from work or family issues.
Other times, flares can spring up out of nowhere without a clear cause. Unlike with stress-related flares, unpredictable flares may not subside on their own and may require medication or a visit to the doctor.
Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Sources
- Rheumatoid Arthritis. Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.
- The 4 Stages of Rheumatoid Arthritis Progression. CreakyJoints.
- Patient Education: Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms and Diagnosis (Beyond the Basics). UpToDate.
- Case Series: Monoarticular Rheumatoid Arthritis. European Journal of Rheumatology.
- Palindromic Rheumatism. Arthritis Foundation.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments and More. Arthritis Foundation.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms. NHS.
- Joint Deformities in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Arthritis Foundation.
- Boutonnière Deformity. OrthoInfo.
- The Incidence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis. International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.
- People With Rheumatoid Arthritis Face the Risk of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. U.S. News & World Report.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis. Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.
- Extra-Articular Manifestations in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Maedica.
- Rheumatoid Nodules. American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic.
- Felty Syndrome. National Organization for Rare Disorders.
Resources
- Rheumatoid Arthritis. John Hopkins Arthritis Center.
- The 4 Stages of Rheumatoid Arthritis Progression. CreakyJoints. November 14, 2018.
- Baker JF. Patient Education: Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms and Diagnosis (Beyond the Basics). UpToDate. March 24, 2022.
- Sarazin J, Schiopu E, Namas R. Case Series: Monoarticular Rheumatoid Arthritis. European Journal of Rheumatology. December 2017.
- Palindromic Rheumatism. Arthritis Foundation.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments and More. Arthritis Foundation. October 15, 2021.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms. NHS. August 28, 2019.
- Joint Deformities in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Arthritis Foundation.
- Boutonnière Deformity. OrthoInfo. December 2013.
- Lee KH, Lee CH, Lee BG, et al. The Incidence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis. International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases. January 2015.
- Donohue M. People With Rheumatoid Arthritis Face the Risk of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. U.S. News & World Report. September 8, 2017.
- Cojocaru M, Cojocaru IM, Silosi I, et al. Extra-Articular Manifestations in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Mædica. December 2010.
- Rheumatoid Nodules. American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic. January 25, 2023.
- Felty Syndrome. National Organization for Rare Disorders. April 7, 2008.
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