Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that causes damage to the linings of the joints. It can affect any joint in the body, including the wrists. While there is no cure for this disease, it is important to start treatment as early as possible. There are treatment options that in some cases can help to minimize disability. The first step is to learn to recognize the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis in the wrist.
Swelling
Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is a systemic disease, but it most commonly starts in the smaller joints of the body, such as the wrist, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Rheumatoid arthritis differs from osteoarthritis because it commonly affects the joints on both sides of the body, while osteoarthritis affects one side only. In the early stages of RA, both wrists will begin to appear swollen and may be tender to the touch.
Redness and Stiffness
In the initial stages of rheumatoid arthritis, the Mayo Clinic claims that there may be periods of flares followed by periods where there is a remission of symptoms. Early on, the wrists may become red and warm to the touch. They may also feel stiff and hard to move. As the disease progresses, symptom become more severe and constant.
Trouble Gripping Objects
Rheumatoid arthritis affects each person differently and progresses at different rates, so there is no one set of early symptoms in all patients. According to the Arthritis Foundation, in some cases RA can lead to weakness in the hand, which can make holding eating utensils, grooming and dressing challenging.
Fatigue
In the early stages, the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are usually general, according to the University of Washington. However, even in the beginning stages, fatigue may accompany symptoms that appear in the wrist. Fatigue can be caused due to the changes occurring in the body to fight the inflammation, and it can also be caused by a lack of sleep due to wrist pain that makes sleeping uncomfortable.
