How to Self-Examine for Tender and Swollen Joints in Rheumatoid Arthritis 

This video is intended to support people with rheumatoid arthritis to self-examine their own tender and swollen joints.
In this video, Rheumatology Nurse Consultant Tricia Cornell and Karen Staniland, who has rheumatoid arthritis and is patient and public involvement lead for the REMORA project at the Centre for Epidemiology Versus Arthritis, show people with rheumatoid arthritis how to self-examine for tender and swollen joints. After explaining why this is important, Tricia and Karen will go through several joint examinations, and then discuss frequently asked questions. The video can be viewed all the way through, or you can click to the sections you are most interested in. You can replay the video, or parts of it, as many times as you like.
➡️ It is useful to keep a note of the number of swollen and tender joints you have, as you examine each joint. We have developed a model and table for you to count up the number of swollen and tender joints, which you can download here: bit.ly/3mn9kMq
👉 Video poster to be handed to patients on clinics: bit.ly/3zEGNsL
This video has been developed solely for the purpose of training patients in how to examine tender and swollen joints. It has been designed and developed by patients and clinicians working on the REMORA study at the Centre for Epidemiology Versus Arthritis, at the University of Manchester.
● For more information about the REMORA project and the video, including answers to frequently asked questions, click here: bit.ly/3tkFJIo
● For more information about developing the video and what we hope it might do, see blog post by Dr Charlotte Sharp here: bit.ly/2LfgaHy
● For more information on what is like to be a patient partner behind the research and on the set, read the blog by Karen Staniland: bit.ly/3jXBLBj
Table of Contents:
0:00 - Introduction
1:18 - Why are tender and swollen joints measured?
2:11 - Which joints should I examine?
2:32 - What is a swollen joint?
4:02 - What is a tender joint?
4:17 - How hard should I press on my joint?
4:33 - How do I know where to examine?
05:15 - Self-Examination of the Shoulder Joint
06:11 - Self-Examination of the Elbow Joint
06:57 - Self-Examination of the Wrist Joint
08:11 - Self-Examination of the Knuckle Joint
09:37 - Self-Examination of the Middle Joint of the Finger
10:57 - Self-Examination of the Knee Joint
12:05 - Frequently Asked Questions
More information on the DAS28 and the feet:
The DAS28 score is a disease activity score which includes a tender joint count, swollen joint count, blood test results (CRP or ESR, which measure inflammation) and a patient assessment. The 28 joints included are the shoulders, elbows, wrists, knuckles (or MCP joints), finger middle joints (or PIP joints) and knees. People with arthritis often ask why the DAS28 does not include the feet. Research found that the overall score did not differ between using 28 joints and a greater number of joints, including the feet. This is why the feet are not included in the measure. The 28 joint count has since become the standard measure used to assess disease activity in people with arthritis, and in clinical trials. However, the feet are often affected in rheumatoid arthritis, and it is therefore really important that people with arthritis and their clinicians discuss and assess the feet, to make sure that inflammation, and other problems are addressed. If you have problems with your feet please raise them with your rheumatology team.
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Separate self-examination videos for specific joints:
Shoulder Joint: • Self-Examine Shoulder ... ​
Elbow Joint: • Self-Examine Elbow Joints ​
Wrist Joint: • Self-Examine Wrist Joints ​
Knuckles: • Self-Examine Knuckle J... ​
Middle joint of the finger: • Self-Examine Middle Jo... ​
Knee Joint: • Self-Examine Knee Joints ​
FAQ: • FAQs Self-Examination ...
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