You’ll change into a medical gown so the doctor can check you from head to toe, including your eyes, mouth, and skin. He'll look for signs of inflammation, like swelling, warmth, redness, nodules (growths under the skin), and rashes. He’ll take your pulse and listen to your heart, lungs, and bowels.
Next, the doctor will press on your joints to see if they're sore. He'll ask you to bend, flex, and stretch your joints and muscles. The rheumatologist will compare the joints on one side of your body to the other, because rheumatoid arthritis often affects both sides. This part of the exam may cause some pain, but it’s important for the doctor to see you move. Speak up if it hurts too much.
He may use a needle to take blood or joint fluid while you’re in the office or send you to a lab for these tests. The results may show signs of infection, inflammation, or other problems. X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasound images give your doctor a picture of damage to your joints.