Question
I HAVE DEVELOPED A LUMP ON EACH ELBOW. I WENT TO THE DOCTER AND HE SAID THAT THEY WERE NOT CYSTS, HE SAID THAT THEY COULD BE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, HE TOOK SOME BLOOD AND WAS LOOKING FOR RH FACTOR AND SOMETHING ELSE AND I CANT REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS CALLED. DO YOU THINK THIS COULD BE A FORM OF RHEUMATOID. I HAVE OSTEOARTHRITIS, SO THIS IS A CHANCE. WHAT DO YOU THINK. THE LUMPS ARE PAINFUL AND CAN BE MOVED WITH YOUR FINGERS. THANK YOU

Answer
Michele,

I am sorry to hear that you have these lumps on your elbow.
Yes, I could be Rheumatoid arthritis or some other form of Rheumatic condition. I am curious that the lumps can be moved with your fingers. While this is not typical with RA it is not unheard of either. RA uses causes inflammation and swelling in your joints but it can also cause inflammation and swelling in the cartilage and soft tissue around the joint. RA can also cause bursitis and or tendinitis around a joint. It could also be just tendinitis or bursitis or other condition.

Your doctor is right in ruling out the serious conditions first. The RA factor will give your doctor much needed information. Your doctor is probably looking at your Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, your complete blood count (CBC} and a test for C-reactive protein. These are usually done conjunction with the RA test.

I wish you much improved health and a quick diagnosis.

Rusty
http://arthritis-store.com