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USHA JAIPAL
PRESENTED BY-DR. SONAL SARAN
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic
inflammatory disease predominantly affecting
diarthrodial joints and frequently a variety of other
organs.
Peak incidence is between 4th and 6th decade.
Females are two to three times more affected than
males.
Genetic and autoimmune factors are mainly
responsible for the initiation of disease process.
PATHOGENESIS
The pathologic hallmark of RA is synovial
membrane proliferation and outgrowth
associated with erosion of articular
cartilage and subchondral bone.
left foot shows concentric joint space narrowing and subcortical cysts in all of the
metatarsophalangeal joints. Erosions are seen in the second and fourth
metatarsophalangeal joints, which are deformed to some extent
Advanced RA. Radiograph of the hand shows severe destruction and mutilation of the
radiocarpal, intercarpal, carpometacarpal, and metacarpophalangeal joints.
Radiograph shows a ballooned ulnar styloid process. There are small cysts
(*) in the styloid process and scaphoid bone. The radiocarpal joint space is
narrowed.
Longstanding arthritis of the shoulder joint.
Radiograph of the left shoulder shows a deep erosion (*) at a typical site.
Narrowing of joint spaces in long-standing RA. Radiograph (detail view) shows narrowing of
the joint spaces of the second and fourth metacarpophalangeal joints (*).
The carpometacarpal joints are less severely affected. Active arthritis of the
third metacarpophalangeal joint is associated with reactive edema of the bone
marrow (*).
Figure 17. RA of the wrist.
o With the knee in extension, early joint space loss may not be
seen .