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Joints, Muscles and Bones Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
Symptoms
About RA

Symptoms

Symptoms of RA can develop gradually over weeks, or rapidly over a few days. They vary from person to person, and between different stages of disease, but mainly impact the joints.

Small joints in the hands and feet are often the first to be affected, but RA can impact any joint in the body. The effects on joints include pain, swelling, and stiffness, but other general symptoms may also occur.1

“Four boxes, each describing a key symptom of RA. Pain (with an icon of pain in the foot): throbbing or aching, often worse in the mornings or after activity. Swelling (with an icon of a swollen foot): joints affected by RA can swell, and may feel hot and tender. Stiffness (with an icon of a wrist in pain): for example, inability to fully bend fingers or form a fist. Other general symptoms (with a graphic of a stick person): for example, these may include tiredness, high temperatures, sweating, loss of appetite, weight loss, dry eyes and chest pain.”

Symptoms may vary throughout the day. For example, joint pain and stiffness are often worse in the mornings and after inactivity.1

References

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