Question
I have been told that I have rheumatoid nodules on the top of my feet next to my ankles does that mean that I will have bone deformity? can I get them under control? and does that mean they are in my lungs too?
Answer
Rheumatoid nodules are collections of chronic inflammatory tissue usually found in the soft tissues around joints. Pressure areas such as the elbow are also common areas. When they are on or close to tendons, they can weaken the tendon. In general, since they are outside the joint, the nodules do not cause joint damage or deformity. In fact, in and of themselves, the nodules ususally do not cause many problems except they can get in the way and are ugly. Nodules are also difficult to treat, as they often do not respond to therapies such as TNF inhibitors or methotrexate. Nodules can occur almost anywhere in the body and are unpredictable.
