If you are dealing with chronic symptoms in your wrist that do not get better with traditional treatments, talk to your physician about testing you for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA can only be diagnosed through blood tests and a physical exam. So if you suspect you have it, see your family doctor who can refer you to a rheumatologist. Once you have a proper diagnosis for your wrist symptoms, you can work with your health care provider to find the best treatment.
Identification
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic condition that occurs when the lining of the joint known as the synovium becomes inflamed. This is different from osteoarthritis, which is a wearing away of the cartilage in the joint. Rheumatoid arthritis can eventually lead to damage to the joint and it usually occurs in stages. At first the lining of the joint becomes swollen, causing the general symptoms listed below. As the condition progresses the synovium thickens. In the final stages there may be damage to the bone and cartilage, resulting in disability.
General Symptoms
General symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in the wrist include pain, warmth, stiffness and a loss of motion. The joint may also become red and swollen. Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition characterized by periods of flare-ups followed by periods of remission. There may be times when your wrists exhibit many symptoms noted here and then at others you may have mild to no symptoms.
Other Symptoms
As RA in the wrist progresses you may notice the wrist joint begins to lose its shape and becomes misaligned. The pain may increase and the flexibility in your wrist may become even more diminished. Rheumatoid arthritis is different from osteoarthritis, since with RA you will often have similar symptoms on both sides of the body, whereas with osteoarthritis you may just have one side that is affected while the other side remains symptom free.
Symptoms in the Later Stages
With RA in the wrist you may notice that you lose your ability to grip and hold onto items. Your ability to write, button your shirt and other tasks may become more difficult. Eventually the pain may radiate from the wrist into the hand, affecting the fingers and knuckles. In addition, the swelling associated with rheumatoid arthritis in the wrist can lead to pressure on the nerves in the wrist. This swelling can cause nerve compression and sometimes the development of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Treatment
At this time there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, so treatment is aimed at managing the symptoms. Anti-inflammatory medications, steroid injections, hot and cold therapy, physical therapy and bracing can often help. Learning to protect the joint during everyday activities can help you learn to stay active while not causing a flare-up of your symptoms. In severe cases surgery to help correct the joint damage may be necessary.
