- Stage I:
- represents synovitis:
-
synovial membrane becomes hyperemic and edematous with foci
of infiltrating small lymphocytes;
- joint effussions w/ high
cell count (5,000 to 60,000 per mm3)
- x-rays will as yet show no destructive changes, but soft tissue
swelling or
Osteoporosis may be seen;
- Stage II:
- inflammed synovial tissue now proliferates & begins to grow into joint
cavity across articular cartilage, which it gradually destroys;
-narrowing of joint due to loss of articular cartilage;
- Stage III:
- pannus of
Synovium;
- eroded articular cartilage & exposed sub-chondral bone;
- x-rays will show extensive cartilage loss, erosions around the margins
of joint, and deformities may have become apparent;
- Stage IV:
- end stage disease;
- inflammatory process is subsiding;
- fibrous or bony ankylosing of joint will end its functional life;
-
subcutaneous nodules associated w/ severe disease;
