The affect of rheumatoid arthritis can progress to the degree that
it is crippling. Deformities distinctive to late-stage rheumatoid
arthritis such as ulnar deviation of the bones of the hands, or
swan-neck deviation of the fingers occur because muscles and
tendons on one side of the joint may overpower those on the other
side, pulling the bones out of alignment.
Review Date: 02/14/2011
Reviewed By: Michael E. Makover, MD is a professor and attending in rheumatology
at the New York University Medical Center, New York, NY. Review
provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David
Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
