How can rheumatoid arthritis cause hand swelling?
Disease description:
I was diagnosed with arthritis during a physical exam last week, but didn't pay much attention to it since I wasn't experiencing any discomfort. This week, my hands have started to swell. I'd like to know why rheumatoid arthritis causes hand swelling.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Aihua
Hand swelling in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is generally caused by the disease being in an active phase. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder, and patients may experience joint swelling, pain, and limited function. During this period, patients should use medications such as ibuprofen and meloxicam to alleviate symptoms and effectively control acute inflammation. Additionally, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) should be used as adjunctive therapy, such as methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine.
