Ultrasonography of hands in rheumatoid arthritis

The hand is one of the anatomical regions most frequently explored by ultrasonography (USG) in rheumatology. The high frequency USG allows for a quick and accurate assessment of even minimal pathological changes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affecting the small joints and the soft tissues of the hand and wrist. Several studies have demonstrated the value of USG imaging of the hand and wrist in early diagnosis of RA by picking subclinical synovitis, effusion, erosions and increased vascularity. This article provides the basic knowledge, reviews the available evidence and discusses the potential of USG in the evaluation of the hand and wrist in RA.