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Joints, Muscles and Bones Rheumatoid Arthritis Complications
Complications
About RA

Complications

Especially if it is not treated early or well controlled, RA can put you in danger of not only joint damage, but also other conditions.

These include:1

“Four boxes each describing a complication of RA. Carpal tunnel syndrome (icon of a hand): compression of a nerve controlling hand movement. Symptoms include aching, numbness and tingling in the thumbs, fingers and hand. Widespread inflammation (icon of a person with numerous inflamed areas): inflammation can develop in other parts of your body, including the lungs, heart, eyes or blood vessels. Cardiovascular disease (icon of a heart with a warning sign): conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels, including life-threatening heart attacks and strokes. Cervical myelopathy (icon of spine with warning symbol): an uncommon but serious condition that leads to dislocated joints at the top of the spine.”

If you get any symptoms related to these conditions, speak to your doctor.

References

  1. NHS England. Rheumatoid Arthritis – Complications. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/complications/. Last accessed April 2025.