Rheumatoid nodules are small bumps under the skin, located in pressure point areas such as the elbow, back of the hand, or back of the heel. These bumps may be as small as a grain of rice or as large as a golf ball. But they are usually not painful, and they tend to come and go.

Your doctor may remove rheumatoid nodules if your disease is under good control and the nodules are painful or very bothersome.