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:
What are the main signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Rheumatoid arthritis primarily causes pain and swelling in the joints, particularly in the hands, feet, and knees, and often worsens in the mornings and improves with movement. Additional symptoms may include red puffy hands, fatigue, loss of appetite, fever, and the presence of rheumatoid nodules under the skin.