Painless lumps under the skin that are a prominent feature of rheumatoid ARTHRITIS and other rheumatoid diseases. Rheumatoid nodules usually are found on the bony part of the forearms, around the ankles, or on the fingers. They may be caused by inflammation around small blood vessels. Rheumatoid nodules typically last only a few months and are rarely a significant medical problem.
In individuals with rheumatoid arthritis, small bumps known as rheumatoid nodules might form beneath the skin. These nodules can also appear in the lungs and be detected through a chest X-ray. Composed of granulomas, which are clusters of cells related to chronic inflammation, these nodules commonly occur in body areas that frequently experience pressure, like the elbows.