Rheumatoid arthritis - development of disease II

With the progression of the disease affected are almost all large and small joints, creating deformation typical of rheumatoid arthritis – move of the fingers of hands and feet towards outside, "Z" deformity of thumbs on the hand, "swan neck", "hole for the button”, hammer toes and various other defects. In the final stage very often there is no possibility of closing a fist so more difficult are everyday activities like cutting bread with a knife, opening jars, the inability of combing, washing, etc. The impossibility of extending elbows significantly limits the function of the hand, especially if it is associated with frequent limit movement in the shoulder joint.

Hips may be affected, but very rarely isolated. Knee is the most common, initially affected individual wrist. At this joint we have the easiest way to discover a swelling and synovial membrane thickening. Four-headed muscle of the femur weakness (in front) and the consequent instability of the knee joint are causing the further progress of deformation. Often we find cysts on the back of the knee joint, which when repeated movements of bending and extending the knee, can burst.