How fast does rheumatoid arthritis spread?

I have recently been diagnosed after feeling pain in my wrists, and I am very scared. Does it usually spread to the knees and ankles very quickly, or do we have time to prevent it? I am still trying to understand my prescription.

My teenager was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis, and we saw it affect multiple joints within a year. But once we got him on a proper treatment plan and did regular physical therapy, it stabilized beautifully. Please act early to protect the joints.

It doesn't actually 'spread' like an infection, but because it is autoimmune, it can start affecting other joints over months or a few years. Starting DMARDs early under a rheumatologist's care is the best way to control this progression.

I made the mistake of ignoring my joint pain and relying on massage oils, which allowed the arthritis to cause permanent deformity in my fingers within two years. Please do not delay. See a specialist rheumatologist immediately to prevent irreversible damage.