Rheumatoid arthritis cysts in the hands are one of the telltale symptoms of the condition.
Others include pain, stiffness, swelling, discolored fingers, numbness, tingling, and joint deformity.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease that can impact many joints and organs.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Treatment may include medications, splinting, modifying activities, ice and heat therapy, and surgery.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
In a joint with RA, the lining of the joint becomes inflamed, causing damage to joint tissue.
This tissue damage can cause long-lasting or chronic pain and deformity (misshapenness) of the joints.
What Is Tenosynovitis?
Tenosynovitisis inflammation of the tendon sheath lining typically in the hand, wrist, or feet.
Symptoms usually include pain with motion and tenderness when touched.
Chronic deterioration or inflammation of the tendon or tendon sheath can cause scars that restrict motion.
The hand is a frequent starting location.
The sections below detail common symptoms that may be seen in your hands or fingers if you have RA.
Pain
One of the hallmark signs of RA is pain and soreness in the hands and fingers.
This same pain can also disappear just as quickly.
Swelling occurs wherever this inflammation arises, notably in the fingers and hands.
Stiffness may be more noticeable in the morning and after long periods of hand use.
Why Do My Hands Look Puffy?
Swelling in the relatively small joints of the fingers and hands can significantly alter their appearance.
Persistent mobility reduction in joints can limit the effectiveness of muscles in the area.
Additionally, joint deformities can permanently move or displace muscle tendons.
This can lead tonumbness and tingling, causing the hand to feel like it has fallen asleep.
It also supplies feeling to the thumb, pointer, middle, and a portion of the ring fingers.
This erosion causes the bony surface to become irregular and impacts the movement of the hand and finger joints.
This typically painful grinding or popping sound is calledcrepitus.
In some cases, splinting or bracing may even be necessary to correct these progressive bony changes.
Related Conditions
Numerous conditions can cause joint deformity and make hand and finger functioning difficult.
RA nodules are typically firm but springy to the touch.
Bone Spurs in RA or Just OA?
Unlike the nodules associated with RA, bone spurs are typically hard and non-pliable.
Numbness, tingling, or sensitivity may also accompany these changes.
In severe cases, ulceration of the skin or even gangrene can develop if Raynauds is not properly treated.
Hitchhiker’s Thumb Deformity
Hitchhikers thumb deformity (also Z-shaped deformity) can occur with RA.
The lower thumb joint (MCP) flexes while the upper thumb joint hyperextends.
Boutonniere Deformity
Boutonnieredeformity is a common joint deformity associated with RA.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle factors can reduce inflammation and pain and slow joint damage.
Medications include:
Advances in medication have improved the chances of continuing your daily activities despite your RA.
New treatments have also increased your odds of living a normal lifespan.
Splinting
Splinting is designed to reduce pain by limiting movement.
Splints support the affected joint to ease the stress placed on it from frequent use and activities.
Wearing the splint for too long can lead to muscle deterioration (atrophy).
Muscles can assist in stabilizing injured joints, so atrophy should be avoided.
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