
Rheumatoid Arthritis
The UCI Health Rheumatology team provides comprehensive and compassionate care for you and your family members living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms
Your symptoms of RA may include joint pain that is:
- symmetrical (on both sides of the body)
- prominent in the morning
- lasts for at least 30 minutes
- warm, tender and swollen
Rheumatoid Arthritis diagnosis at UCI Health
UCI Health rheumatologists are experts at diagnosing this complex condition. Your doctor will carefully review your symptoms and medical history.
Starting with a physical exam, they will check your joints for:
- signs of redness
- swelling
- warmth
- and assess your muscle strength and reflexes.
Your doctor will also rule out other conditions, like lupus or gout, that have similar symptoms.
To help with the diagnosis, your doctor may recommend:
- Blood tests to check for autoimmune disease and the severity of RA
- Imaging tests, such as X-rays, to assess the presence and progression of RA
If left untreated, RA can progress and cause complications with your:
- heart
- lungs
- eyes
- skin
- liver
- kidneys
- blood
- nervous system
- blood vessels
Because of this your treatment team at UCI Health will be comprehensive to ensure you are treated for anything that may arise.

Don't wait to address your pain
UCI Health orthopaedic specialists are here to help you improve your quality of life.
Call 714-456-7012 to schedule an appointment today, or

Find an Orthopaedics Clinical Trial
Talk to your doctor to see if a orthopaedics clinical trial is right for you.
Featured Blog Posts

Live Well’s most popular stories of 2023
Take a peek at our readers' favorite articles of the year.

Partial knee replacement revitalizes life of Marine

Living full throttle after hip replacement surgery
After being told he was too young for hip surgery and advised to get a knee replacement instead, 55-year-old retired Marine Corps officer Scott Shuster sought a second opinion at UCI Health.
Upcoming Events
12-1 p.m. +7 more dates
Preparing for Surgery — Mind, Body and Spirit
Rheumatoid Arthritis treatment at UCI Health
Our expert team is dedicated to diagnosing, managing, and treating this complex autoimmune disorder, aiming to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life through personalized treatment plans.
Although there is no cure for RA, we are dedicated to getting you back to a comfortable daily life by:
- relieving pain
- reducing inflammation
- delaying joint damage
- improving day-to-day functioning
- Relief is accomplished through a combination of medications, therapies and lifestyle adjustments.
Multidisciplinary experts treating you
This multidisciplinary approach ensures that all aspects of your health are addressed. By collaborating closely, our experts can provide you with the most personalized and effective care plan, helping you live a healthier, more active life.
Why choose UCI Health for rheumatology arthritis?
Multidisciplinary experts treating you
RA can affect many areas of your body, not just your joints. At UCI Health, we take a comprehensive approach to your care by bringing together a team of specialists from various fields.
This multidisciplinary approach ensures that all aspects of your health are addressed. By collaborating closely, our experts can provide you with the most personalized and effective care plan, helping you live a healthier, more active life.