Skip to main content
Accessibility help
Home

Proudly Part of Jefferson Health

Main Menu

  • Find
    • Doctors
    • Locations
    • Services
  • Do
    • Log in to MyLVHN
    • Pay a Bill
  • Explore
    • Jefferson Health
    • Give
Questions? 888-402-LVHN (5846) Contact Us

Careers

  • All Careers
  • Nursing Careers
  • Physician and APC Careers
  • Residencies and Fellowships

Make an Appointment

  • Current doctor
  • New doctor
  • First available
  • Video visit

COVID-19

Patient Information

  • Patient & Visitor Information
  • Medical Records
  • Accepted Insurances
  • Financial Services
  • Institutes
  • Health Tips, Patient Stories & News
  • Events, Classes & Groups
  • Clinical Trials
  • About LVHN

For Clinicians

  • Refer a Patient
  • Careers
  • Research & Clinical Trials
  • Education
  • Institutes
  • About LVHN

Find

Doctors Locations Services Careers

Search LVHN Site

Suggested Links

  • Careers
  • Children's Hospital
  • Pay a Bill
  • Medical Records

What type of appointment are you looking for?

Appointment with

I am an existing patient I am a new patient

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder treated by specialists at Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN).

  • More Information
  • More

    • Home
    • Doctors
    • Services
  • Home
  • Doctors
  • Services

Page Hierarchy

  1. Conditions
  2. Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder, which means the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy cells and tissues – in this case, your joints. This malfunctioning immune system response causes inflammation in and around the joints, which may lead to skeletal damage.

The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not known. Women are two to three times more likely to develop RA than men are. Most cases of rheumatoid arthritis occur in people between the ages of 30 and 50. However, RA also may develop in young children and older adults.

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. The inflammation can become so severe that the function and appearance of the hands can become affected. RA also may have devastating effects on other organs, such as the heart and lungs.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is a form of arthritis in children younger than 16 that causes inflammation and joint stiffness for more than six weeks. Unlike adult RA, which is chronic and lasts a lifetime, JRA is often outgrown. However, the disease can affect bone development in the growing child.

Diagnosis may be difficult in the early stages because symptoms can be very subtle. If you have four or more of the following symptoms, you may be diagnosed with RA:

  • Morning stiffness that lasts longer than one hour for at least six weeks
  • Three or more joints that are inflamed for at least six weeks
  • Presence of arthritis in the hand, wrist or finger joints for at least six weeks
  • Blood tests that reveal rheumatoid factor
  • X-rays that show characteristic changes in the joints

There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but proper treatment can help you live a long, productive life. Treatment may include:

  • Assistive devices, such as a cane or orthotics
  • Lifestyle changes, including gentle exercise and good nutrition
  • Pain management
  • Medications, such as corticosteroids and biologic response modifiers
  • Physical therapy
  • Joint replacement surgery

Download a Free Joint Pain Guide

If pain from osteoarthritis or another joint condition is stopping you from enjoying everyday activities, now is the time to develop a plan to eliminate your discomfort. You don’t need to put up with joint pain any longer.

Download a Free Guide

Make an Appointment

Get on the calendar in just a minute or two. Yes, it really is that easy.

Request an appointment

Is joint pain disrupting your life?

Our assessment offers custom options to treat joint pain. Take our free online assessment and begin your healing journey today.

Take our assessment

Customer Service

888-402-LVHN (5846)
Contact Us
Mon - Fri:
7 am – 8 pm
Saturday:
9 am – 5 pm
Sunday:
9 am – 5 pm

Support

  • For Referring Physicians
  • For Health Professionals
  • For Employers
  • Website Feedback
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

About LVHN

  • About Us
  • Give
  • Careers
  • Volunteer
  • Health Tips, News & Stories
  • Events
  • Shop
  • Price Transparency

Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

©2025 Lehigh Valley Health Network. Image content is used for illustrative purposes only.