What are the main signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?

RA symptoms often occur in the hands, wrists, knees, and feet first. Several joints can be affected at one time, and the number of joints affected may increase over time.

RA symptoms include the following:

• Pain and swelling in the joints — particularly the hands, feet, and knees
• Pain and stiffness in the joints, especially after sleeping (thus worse in the mornings and improve with usage)
• Red, puffy hands
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Hard bumps (called rheumatoid nodules) under the skin near joints