How is Rheumatoid Arthritis diagnosed?

How do you know if you have Rheumatoid Arthritis? In this video Siddharth Tambar MD explains how a physician makes a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
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**About this video**
In this video Siddharth Tambar MD from Chicago Arthritis and Regenerative Medicine discusses how rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed, rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, how rheumatoid arthritis affects the body, and what is rheumatoid arthritis.

[@AilisCrafts]

thank you for this information, I had rheumatoid arthritis as a young teenager and now that I'm 62 I think I may have returned. I get swelling and weakness with very stiff hands and feet. I'm very sensitive to minor bumps like stubbing my toe. seems to be extremely magnified, but this also could be the Osteo Arthritis that I have in my knees. hips. shoulders and neck. it hurts to rest and to be active. and used to have to be active all the time when I was younger. But anyway, thanks for the information. again. you have a great day.

[@ChicagoArthritis]

Thanks for the comment Dawna and happy to offer education and assistance.

[@DrJohn493]

Very helpful overview. One takeaway I have is that in the early stages of RA, lab tests may not be totally definitive and an accurate early diagnosis of RA can be based on a thorough exam and a patient history. Would that be a reasonable conclusion?

[@ChicagoArthritis]

Regardless of labs, there needs to be evidence of active inflammation. Physical exam or ultrasound showing active inflammation in the joints is essential in that regard.

[@Kooptj]

If I have many inflamed tendons in my hands but my joints are mostly healthy can I still have RA or other inmunologic decease? One dr told me this and I don't trust him

[@ChicagoArthritis]

Early RA can present with inflammation in the tendons. Not to mention there are other conditions that cause tendon inflammation as well.