Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes severe joint pain, stiffness, swelling and damage. It is caused by the immune system attacking the joints, though the exact cause is unknown. Symptoms include pain, stiffness and inflammation in the joints, as well as general symptoms like fever and fatigue. It is diagnosed through physical exams, x-rays and blood tests. Treatment options include medications to reduce pain and swelling like aspirin or disease-modifying drugs, as well as non-medical approaches like exercise, diet changes and therapy. The student's final product is to design a tool to help people with rheumatoid arthritis using 3D modeling software based on research and input from a doctor.