The Rheumatoid Hand: Diagnostic Imaging May 2026

Hand and Wrist Rheumatoid Arthritis - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf

Conventional radiography remains the first-line tool for monitoring disease progression. The Rheumatoid Hand: Diagnostic Imaging

: Symmetrical loss of cartilage, most frequently in the MCP (knuckle), PIP (middle finger), and carpal (wrist) joints. Hand and Wrist Rheumatoid Arthritis - StatPearls -

: Early thinning of the bone near affected joints. most frequently in the MCP (knuckle)

The hallmark diagnostic imaging feature of the rheumatoid hand is , which typically occur at the "bare areas" of the joint where the synovium directly overlies the bone without cartilage protection.