Arthritic hands. Coloured X-ray of a pair of hands showing rheumatoid arthritis. The finger joints have become inflamed and swollen. Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the immune system attacking the body's own tissues, causing progressive joint and soft tissue destruction. It typically affects finger, wrist and toe joints. There is no cure, but the disease can be controlled by anti- inflammatory drugs and physiotherapy. Rheumatoid arthritis is the second most common arthritic disease after osteoarthritis.