By Carol & Richard Eustice, About.com
Updated: August 27, 2006
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board
Cut section view of knee joint - rheumatoid arthritis
Photo © ADAMIn rheumatoid arthritis the body attacks its own joints. White blood cells, the agents of the immune system, travel to the synovium and cause inflammation (synovitis). The inflamed synovium causes warmth, redness, swelling, and pain.
During inflammation, the synovium thickens and makes the joint puffy and swollen. As rheumatoid arthritis progresses, abnormal synovial cells invade and erode cartilage and bone within the joint. Surrounding muscles, ligaments, and tendons weaken.
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