Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition where a person’s immune system attacks the synovium lining of the joints, this damages the cartilage and bone, and also weakens the ligaments and tendons. This can cause warm, painful and swollen joints, especially in the mornings, as well as fatigue. The precise medical cause is not yet determined although we know that genetic factors play a part in making a person susceptible to environmental factors. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause very significant personal distress, making it hard to walk, needing time off work, affect a person’s social interactions and result in depressed mood.