Which joints are usually spared in rheumatoid arthritis?

In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the typical pattern of joint involvement can help differentiate it from other forms of arthritis. One of the characteristic aspects of RA is that it primarily affects the proximal joints and spares specific joints from involvement.

The distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints, which are the joints closest to the fingertips, are usually spared in rheumatoid arthritis. This is a critical point because many other types of inflammatory arthritis, such as osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis, can involve the DIP joints prominently. Therefore, when considering the overall joint involvement in rheumatoid arthritis, the sparing of the DIP joints is a key distinguishing feature.

Understanding the typical patterns of joint involvement in different arthritic conditions is crucial for making an accurate diagnosis and developing an effective treatment plan. In the case of RA, this knowledge highlights how it predominantly affects joints like the wrists, metacarpophalangeal joints, and other proximal joints, while the DIP joints remain less affected or unaffected.