rheumatoid arthritis<\/a> (especially untreated ones or ones that have been subjected to vast amounts of repetitive stress action over several years or decades) can even cause changes in bone structure.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nThis can make it look like swelling doesn\u2019t appear to go down, or like bone is starting to form extra growths. (This can make joints like knees, elbows, and fingers appear to \u201cstick out\u201d more than they did before, and there\u2019s usually some kind of associated pain, pressure or lack of movement that goes together with it.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These bone structure changes can sometimes lead to an increased risk of cancer as a result of untreated rheumatism \u2013 and in extreme cases, it can be considered a very serious potential trigger factor for developing bone or joint cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even where the potential of cancer risk doesn\u2019t materialize, it\u2019s still considered a serious sign \u2013 and can cause a lot of pain and impair movement as it worsens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n
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