Which joint is most commonly involved in rheumatoid arthritis?

Which joint is most commonly involved in rheumatoid arthritis?

• A. Knee
• B. Wrist
• C. MCP joints
• D. DIP joints

Answer: (A)

Rheumatoid arthritis most characteristically targets the small joints of the hands, with the metacarpophalangeal joints (the joints at the bases of the fingers) being the most commonly involved early. The wrists are also frequently affected, and the involvement is usually symmetrical with prominent morning stiffness. While the knee can be involved, it is not as commonly affected as these hand joints in the typical presentation. The distal interphalangeal joints are usually spared in RA, which helps distinguish it from osteoarthritis where DIP involvement is common. So, the MCP joints are the joints most commonly involved in RA.

Rheumatoid arthritis most characteristically targets the small joints of the hands, with the metacarpophalangeal joints (the joints at the bases of the fingers) being the most commonly involved early. The wrists are also frequently affected, and the involvement is usually symmetrical with prominent morning stiffness. While the knee can be involved, it is not as commonly affected as these hand joints in the typical presentation. The distal interphalangeal joints are usually spared in RA, which helps distinguish it from osteoarthritis where DIP involvement is common. So, the MCP joints are the joints most commonly involved in RA.