This is a chronic condition characterised by persistent inflammatory arthritis. It usually involves joints in a symmetrical distribution. Some sufferers experience a mild arthritis of their hands with minimal joint damage. Others can have a progressive destructive arthritis involving deformity and disability. Most patients have conditions somewhere between these two extremes. In early stages its usually the hands and feet that are effected. The symptoms vary from person to person and come and go. The patient can experience flares as their condition deteriorates and the symptoms become more severe. The symptoms often develop gradually over several weeks but in some cases they can progress quickly over a number of days. The main
