Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that causes
inflammation of the joints. The inflammation can become so
severe that the function and appearance of the hands, as well as
other parts of the body, can become affected. In the hand,
rheumatoid arthritis may cause deformities in the joints of the
fingers, making movement difficult. Lumps, known as rheumatoid
nodules, may form over small joints in the hands and the wrist.
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is a form of arthritis in
children ages 16 or younger that causes inflammation and
stiffness of joints for more than six weeks. Unlike adult
rheumatoid arthritis, which is chronic and lasts a lifetime,
children often outgrow JRA. However, the disease can affect bone
development in the growing child. The exact cause of rheumatoid
arthritis is not known. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune
disorder, which means the body's immune system attacks its own
healthy cells and tissues. The response of the body causes
inflammation in and around the joints, which