Clarification on last post

[Guest guest]

I am sorry for not clarifying this new stage. According to the

American College of Rheumatology, RA is classified into four stages:

Stage I-early: 1)No destructive changes on Xray Exam

2)Evidenidence of osteoporosis may be present

Stage II-moderate: 1)Xray evidence of osteoporosis, with or without

slight bone destruction; slight cartilage may be present

2) No joint deformities although limitation of

joint mobility may be present

3) Adjacent muscle atrophy

4) Nodules and tenosynovitis may be present

Stage III-severe: 1) Xray evidence of cartilage and bone

destruction, in addition to osteoporosis

2) Joint deformity such as subluxation, ulnar

deviation, or hyperextension, without fibrous or bony ankylosis

3) Extensive muscle atrophy

4) Nodules and tenosynovitis may be present

Stage IV-terminal: 1) Stage III criteria

2) Fibrous or bony ankylosis

I have severe subluxation and ulnar deviation on both hands and

feet. I also have osteoporosis and cartilage & bone destruction;

nodules everywhere, muscle atrophy, and fibrous ankylosis on both

kidney and liver.

I hope this clears a few things up. The website to go to is

http://www.hopkins-arthritis.com/index.html

Lots of prayers and hugs,