Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder that affects the joints, causing persistent inflammation, pain, and swelling, most often in the arms, hands, legs and feet. It affects approximately one percent of Americans.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful, chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder that affects primarily the small joints within the body. The body’s immune system attacks the body’s own healthy tissues by mistake, causing painful swelling and possible permanent damage to joints.