The joints of your knees are one of the common locations affected by rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It can also affect different other joints including feet, ankles, shoulders, elbows, hands, and wrists. When this condition affects your weight-bearing joints like the knees, it can affect the quality of your life because of limited mobility. Also, as rheumatoid arthritis is symmetrical, it can affect both of your knees.
The symptoms of RA in the knees might not be visible during the initial stages. However, as it becomes worse, you can experience severe pain and other chronic symptoms. RA is a progressive, long-term disorder that can even lead to joint deformity and permanent joint damage if left untreated. Therefore, if you experience rheumatology symptoms in your knees, make sure to see your doctor or rheumatologist so that you can effectively prevent them from becoming worse over time.
How Does Rheumatoid Arthritis Affect Your Knees?
When you have RA, your immune system attacks the synovial cells that cover your joints thereby causing their damage. Synovial cells are a type of connective tissue that lines your joints. Rheumatoid arthritis causes your synovial cells to increase which leads to inflammation and thickening. The same problem can happen when RA affects your knees.
RA in the knees causes inflammation and thickening of the synovial membrane in the knee joints. This membrane is responsible for protecting your ligaments, cartilages, and other tissues present in the joints. The synovial fluid produced by the synovial cells lubricates your joints thereby facilitating their movement.
When this synovial membrane is damaged, it can affect the proper functioning of the joints because of the severe inflammation and swelling. The inflammation can cause pain and damage the tissues in your joints. Additionally, the swollen membrane in the knees takes up more area in the joints thereby affecting your mobility.
Symptoms Of RA In The Knees
Rheumatoid arthritis can cause several symptoms in your knee joints including:
- Pain and inflammation
- Swelling and stiffness
- Warmth around the joint
- Instability or weakness of the joints when weight is put on them
- Difficulty moving the knees
- Creaking or popping noises when moving the joints
Other RA symptoms you might experience are fever, extreme fatigue, loss of appetite, neuropathy, abnormal weight loss, eye inflammation, etc.
If you find symptoms of RA in your joints, visit your doctor who can conduct different rheumatology tests to diagnose your condition. This is important to take the right treatment based on the severity of your condition.
