Frank:

Theodore Roosevelt had rheumatoid arthritis for years before he was shot. It is claimed that it got worse after he was shot. This does not mean that it caused the arthritis to get worse.

He was unable to exercise afterward, which could have been a contributing factor, and he gained weight, which could also have contributed to the arthritis being paid worse.

We don’t fully know what drives rheumatoid arthritis to get worse or better, but from what we do know, the shooting is not likey to be a direct cause. Worsening health and mobility due to a bullet lodged in his chest could straightforwardly have made the arthritis worse.

Many people with arthritis are operating at their limits. They can dress themselves and can walk to everywhere they need to walk to, but it doesn’t take much of a medical hold up for them to no longer be able to function fully.