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A 24-year-old male asked:
Huge pain in left sholder , then swelling in the left knee , ra factor +ve, does.that confirm rheumatoid arthritis? if so, how should i go about it ?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Robert Loweanswered
Pediatric Rheumatology 18 years experience
No: Many causes of joint pain and/or joint swelling (injury, infection). Rheumatoid factor (rf)is not very sensitive(not always positive in patients with ra)and is not very specific for RA in spite of its name.Rf can become positive from certain infections (hepatitis) or other autoimmune prob like sjögren's, but then returns to normal later. Anti-ccp antibody is much more specific.See a rheumatologist.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Robert Olsenanswered
Psychiatry 52 years experience
No. but trouble: You have migratory polyarthritis, of which rhematoid arthritis is one of the major players. Ou should cojsult with a rheumatologist, a specialist in these disorders. These arthritides are destructive; ie, they destroy the joint tissue is untreated. But we have good medications for them now. So save our joints, get a clear diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Jun 11, 2017
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