Arthritic fingers. View of deformed fingers due to rheumatoid arthritis. The finger joints (proximal phalangeal joints) are swollen and reddened. Heberden's nodes (lump of cartilage covered bone) are on the terminal joints of the middle fingers. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder (the body's immune system attacks body tissues). Joints are affected, especially in the hands, feet, arms and hips. These joints become swollen, red, painful and stiff. Treatment includes physiotherapy, corticosteriod drugs (anti- inflammatory) and sometimes joint replacement surgery.