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rheumatoid arthritis

a chronic disease whose cause is unknown, characterized by inflammation, pain, and swelling of the joints accompanied by spasms in adjacent muscles and often leading to deformity of the joints

See rheumatoid arthritis in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
A chronic disease marked by stiffness and inflammation of the joints, weakness, loss of mobility, and deformity.

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rheumatoid arthritis

top: normal finger joint

bottom: arthritic finger joint

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rheumatoid arthritis

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