Rheumatoid Arthritis: Beyond Joint Damage - Understanding Systemic Effects

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder, where the body's immune system misidentifies healthy tissue as a pathogen and goes on the attack. This disorder does more than cause pain; it can cause actual, irreversible damage to more than the joints.

Cartilage

• Rheumatoid arthritis causes a condition called synovitis, where the synovial membrane releases excess fluid. This fluid is meant to help stave off the effects of the attack, but in fact, it helps break down healthy cartilage which cushions the bones.

Ligaments

• Synovitis also causes excessive wear and tear to the ligaments which connect the bones, holding them in place.

Tendons

• In addition to the damage caused by synovitis, RA also causes stiffness in the tendons connecting muscle to bone. The tendons can also be damaged by the affected bone and cartilage and by the gnarling of the joints common with RA.

Bone

• Synovitis, by causing a breakdown in the tendons and cartilage, can cause the bones to rub against one another. The bone-to-bone contact grinds away at the bone, causing irreparable damage.

Infection

• Because RA is an autoimmune disease, sufferers may be more prone to infection. This may be because the body's immune system is already engaged in destroying the misidentified tissue or from the immune-suppressing drugs sometimes used to treat RA.