Rheumatoid arthritis, an immune disease, may strike the hands, bringing pain, inflammation and deformity. Stephen B. Schnall, USC associate professor of clinical orthopaedics and chief of the Hand Surgery Service, discusses the condition.

What is rheumatoid arthritis?

Arthritis means joint inflammation. In this case, the lining of the joints becomes inflamed, causing destruction of the cartilage. In rheumatoid arthritis, the synovial tissue, which lines joints, overgrows and erodes the joints. It can affect the whole body.

How does rheumatoid arthritis affect the hands?

The hands are commonly affected by rheumatoid arthritis. It usually affects both hands at the same time, causing swelling, loss of joint function, pain and severe deformity.

What are the symptoms?

In the early stages, most people complain of stiffness and swelling of the joints of the hands. In later stages, the arthritis can cause deformity and severe swelling. Furthermore, the swollen tissue may cause the tendons to rupture. If this happens, patients will have problems bending or straightening their fingers.

What causes of rheumatoid arthritis?

The exact causes are unknown. There is no cure for the disease, so the goal is to try to control pain and discomfort. Rheumatoid diseases are considered auto-immune diseases. It affects roughly 1% of the population and more women than men.

How is it treated?

Rheumatoid arthritis is generally treated with medications that control swelling and pain. Other treatments include the use of assistive devices, such as splints or braces to support weakened joints and allow them to rest. In severe cases, surgery may be recommended to reduce pain, as well as improve the use and appearance of the hand. The surgeon may remove the synovium (synovectomy), realign the joint (osteotomy), or in severe cases, replace the damaged joint with an artificial one.