11 Red-Flag Signs Your Rheumatoid Arthritis May Be Getting Worse (2024)

FAQs

11 Red-Flag Signs Your Rheumatoid Arthritis May Be Getting Worse? ›

She added, “If you are experiencing flares more frequently, usually manifesting as increased pain, stiffness, and swelling, your RA could be getting worse.” Fatigue can also be common or a possible indication of high inflammation in the body.

Swelling of the PIP and MCP joints of the hands is a common early finding (Pictured below). Wrists, elbows, knees, ankles and MTP are other joints commonly affected where swelling is easily detected. Pain on passive motion is a sensitive test for joint inflammation as is squeezing across the MCPs and MTPs.

Increasing Joint Pain and Stiffness

If you notice that your joints are becoming more painful or stiff, especially in the morning or after periods of inactivity, it may indicate disease progression. This discomfort can affect your ability to perform daily activities.

Imaging Tests

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound may help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis in the early stages of the disease. In addition, these imaging tests can help evaluate the amount of damage in the joints and the severity of the disease.

An RA flare can involve an exacerbation of any symptom of the disease, but most commonly it's characterized by intense pain and stiffness in the joints.

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you're at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD is a general term that describes conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels, and it includes life-threatening problems such as heart attack and stroke.

Signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis may include: Tender, warm, swollen joints. Joint stiffness that is usually worse in the mornings and after inactivity. Fatigue, fever and loss of appetite.

RA is an inflammatory condition that causes pain and swelling in the joints and can also affect other areas, including the skin, eyes, brain, and cardiovascular system. It can increase the risk of other health problems, such as a heart attack or stroke. Symptoms tend to fluctuate, worsening and improving periodically.

Nevertheless, with the right treatment, many people can live past the age of 80 or even 90 years while experiencing relatively mild symptoms and only minor limitations on day-to-day life.

What is end stage rheumatoid arthritis? ›

End-stage rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an advanced stage of disease in which there is severe joint damage and destruction in the absence of ongoing inflammation.

In the long term, people with untreated RA may experience worsening disability and joint deformity due to increased joint damage and inflammation. As symptoms worsen over time, people with RA may develop comorbidities, including depressive disorders. These may affect up to 41.5% of people with RA.

People with rheumatoid arthritis typically have several permanently inflamed joints. The inflammation can lead to weakness, drowsiness and exhaustion. This feeling of extreme tiredness is also called “fatigue.” Some people find this to be the worst symptom of the disease.

Gout. Gout often looks like RA in its late stages, when several joints become painful and inflamed, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Confusing the issue even more is that you can have both conditions at the same time.

Stage 1: Early RA

These can include joint pain and slight joint swelling, especially in smaller joints like those in the hands and feet. This early stage is critical for diagnosis, as catching the disease early can dramatically affect the treatment outcome.

The hallmark symptom of RA is morning stiffness that lasts for at least an hour and sometimes up to several hours. (Stiffness from osteoarthritis, in contrast, usually clears up within half an hour.) Joints may also feel very stiff if not used for long periods of time throughout the day.