Rheumatoid Arthritis Overview

Do you or a loved one have RA? Learn all you can about RA, including RA causes, triggers, and how you can prevent worsening of this disease.

RA Basics
1. What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis? Learn all about rheumatoid arthritis, including the causes, symptoms, and treatment.
2. A Visual Guide to RA RA is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation of the lining of the joints. The body tissue is mistakenly attacked by its own immune system.
3. What Is Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis? Think your child might have JRA? Learn about the symptoms and when to call the doctor.
4. What Causes RA? Learn how genetics, gender, and other factors increase the chances of developing RA.
RA and Your Joints
1. Hand & Finger RA Find out about symptoms and treatments of hand and finger RA, including an explanation of swan-neck deformity and boutonniere deformity.
2. RA of the Knee Rheumatoid arthritis of the knee causes the joints to become tender, warm, and swollen. Although knee osteoarthritis causes pain and stiffness, joint pain with knee RA is more severe.
3. RA of the Hip Symptoms of hip arthritis may occur later than those from RA affecting smaller joints.
4. Signs of Joint Damage From RA Learn how to find out if your RA is active and how you can prevent joint damage.