Definition:

A systemic disease, which affects connective tissue of the upper arm; arthritis is the dominant clinical manifestation, accompanied by thickening of articular soft tissue, with extension of synovial tissue over articular cartilages, which become eroded; the course is variable but often is chronic and progressive, leading to deformities and disability.

Symptoms:

• Pain usually occurs in bilateral upper arms
• Swelling usually occurs in bilateral upper arms
• Stiffness usually occurs in bilateral upper arms
• Loss of ROM in the upper arm

Causes:

• Unknown
• Autoimmune disease
• Possible family heredity
• Usually it takes a chemical or environmental "trigger" to activate the disease in people who genetically inherit RA

Treatment:

• ROM and stretching to upper arms
• Shoulder stabilization exercise
• Upper extremity strengthening