Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that primarily affect the joints, with the hands and feet being commonly involved.
Here is a summary of the key radiographic features observed in the hands and feet of patients with:
osteopenia or osteoporosis
joint space narrowing: there is a bilateral and symmetric reduction in the joint spaces, especially notable in the MCP and PIP joints in the hands, and the MTP joints in the feet
erosions are typically seen at the MCP, PIP, and MTP joints
subluxation: as a ligaments and joint structures are damaged by the inflammatory procces, misalignment or partial dislocation of the joints can occur, especially in the distal joints of the hands and feet
Additional contributor: Assistant Prof Dr Jorge Ortiz Roque, Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras, Havana, Cuba.