Rheumatoid Arthritis

R h e u m a t o i d

a r t h r i t i s

Digital Immersion

Everyday, over

1.5 MILLION

Americans wake up to painful, stiff, and swollen joints of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic and debilitating type of arthritis that attacks joints and organs.

targets

women two to three times more than men, and usually starts in the hands and feet on both sides of the body.

Without

joints

we would fall apart. They keep our skeleton together and give us freedom of movement.

Synovial joints are found between two

bones

that move against each other, like in the fingers, toes, elbows, and knees.

Bones of these joints are cushioned by

cartilage

that acts as a shock absorber.

The inside of synovial joints is lined with a thin

synovial membrane

that produces joint-lubricating fluid.

In RA, the

immune system

mistakenly and ruthlessly targets healthy joints, allowing angry and misdirected immune cells to wreak havoc with damaging inflammation.

Healthy

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Stage 4

In early RA, the immune system sets its sights on the

synovial membrane.

With each attack, the membrane becomes more swollen and inflamed, leading to tender, stiff, and warm joints.

In moderate RA, the synovial membrane thickens and begins to invade and destroy surrounding

cartilage.

This can lead to painful, stiff, and swollen joints, as well as loss of mobility.

The third stage of RA is considered severe. After destroying cartilage, the immune system moves on to erode

bone,

resulting in significant pain, loss of mobility, and bone deformities.

During the final stage of RA, joints are completely destroyed. Damaged bones may

fuse together

and become immovable. And while inflammation is no longer present, symptoms like pain, swelling, and stiffness are still plaguing everyday life.

Hitchhiker thumb

deformity bends the thumb backwards, beyond typical range, to look like a hitchhiker’s thumb.

Rheumatoid nodules

may develop under the skin in people with RA. These firm, but painless lumps usually appear near affected joints.

Boutonniere

(French for "buttonhole") deformity damages finger joints in such a way that appears like a finger is popping through a button hole.

Swan-neck

deformity flexes and extends affected fingers to resemble a swan's neck.

RA goes beyond joints and can affect

other organs

in the body.

People with RA have a greater chance of developing

heart

disease than people without the condition.

RA can narrow and damage

blood vessels,

increasing the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

RA can cause

lung scarring,

which may lead to shortness of breath, fatigue, or a chronic dry cough.

It all seems unbearable, but there is

hope.

With the right tools, you can fight RA.

Breaking the cycle:

Treatments

Taking back control:

Lifestyle Adjustments

Medications

Medical Procedures

'Surgery' is a dreaded word most of us don’t want to hear, and fortunately, it’s not the first-line defense against RA. Surgery to remove affected synovial membranes, repair tendons, fuse or completely replace joints may be needed to reduce symptoms, improve mobility, and maintain joint function, especially with significant joint damage.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can help people with RA restore use of affected joints, improve mobility, and increase strength. A physical therapist will create a plan that’s right for your RA, so that everyday tasks, like getting dressed, climbing the stairs, and preparing a home-cooked meal bring you more joy and less pain.

Medications

The right medications can help you control RA symptoms, prevent further joint damage, and improve your quality of life. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroids, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and biologics may offer much needed relief from RA. Newer agents like JAK inhibitors target key steps in development and progression of RA. Blocking these pathways can calm down the immune system and help stop it from attacking joints.

Medical Procedures

Diet and Exercise

Eating a balanced diet can help you get all the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants your joints need and regular exercise can reduce joint stiffness, pain, and fatigue.

Self-Care

Resting painful and swollen joints when they’re particularly bothersome, getting quality sleep, and managing stress (try meditation, yoga, walks in nature, and spending time with pets) are crucial in your fight with RA.

Support

You are not alone. When joints aren’t giving you the support you need, friends, family, and online/in-person support groups can be a great source of comfort when you need it most.

Meet your

Healthcare Team

Words of

Encouragement

“Get into a good routine with your medications and try not to slip up. There are times when I’m so tired that I’ll sleep in and skip my morning dose, but that just leads to more fatigue, pain, and sluggishness.”

“Keeping up with doctor visits is key for me. With technology available to us these days, I can schedule a counseling session with my doctor on the phone, through video, or in-person. Staying in regular contact with my doctor keeps him up to date on what’s going on with my RA.”

“I found that the less I move, the worse my RA makes me feel. It’s easy to slip into this at home or at some workplaces, where we just sit for long periods of time. So I’ll break up my day with small tasks, like doing laundry, going outside for short walks, or engaging in a quick stretching session. I rest when needed, but keep moving as much as my body allows me to move.”

Life with

is not easy, but with a better understanding of the condition, a knowledgeable healthcare team, and the right treatment plan, you can take on every challenge RA throws your way.