What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a joint condition that affects people of all ages (areas where your bones meet and move). Arthritis is characterized by joint inflammation or degeneration (wear and tear). When you use the joint, these changes can produce pain.
Arthritis is most commonly found in the following body parts:
Hand
Hip
Knee
Feet
Lower back
What are the different types of arthritis?
The most common types of arthritis are:
Osteoarthritis
The most prevalent type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, commonly known as degenerative joint disease (DJD). As people get older, they are more likely to acquire osteoarthritis. Changes in osteoarthritis normally take many years to manifest. Inflammation and damage to the joint produce bone alterations, tendons and ligament degradation, and cartilage breakdown, resulting in joint discomfort, swelling, and deformity.
Osteoarthritis is divided into two types:
Primary: Most common and widespread, affecting mostly the fingers, thumbs, spine, hips, knees, and great (large) toes.
Secondary: Occurs in the presence of a pre-existing joint abnormality, such as repetitive or sports-related injury or trauma; inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid, psoriatic, or gout; infectious arthritis; genetic joint disorders, such as Ehlers-Danilos syndrome (also known as hyper-mobility or "double-jointed"); congenital joint disorders; or metabolic joint disorders.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of chronic (ongoing) arthritis that affects both sides of the body's joints (for example, both hands, wrists, and/or knees), distinguishing it from other types of arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis can sometimes affect other regions of the body, such as the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, blood, nerves, or kidneys, in addition to the joints.
Ankylosing spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis (pronounced ankle-oh-sing spon-dill-eye-tiss) is an inflammatory condition that affects the spine over time. The sacroiliac joints, which are located between the base of the spine and the pelvis, are inflamed in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Sacroiliitis, or inflammation of the sacroiliac joint, is one of the first symptoms of AS. Inflammation frequently spreads to the joints that connect the vertebrae, the bones that make up the spine. Spondylitis is the medical term for this ailment.
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
The most frequent kind of arthritis in children is juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). JIA is a long-term (chronic) condition that can affect every joint in the body.
JIA is an autoimmune illness in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium, the tissue that lines the inside of the joint, as well as the synovial fluid.
Gout
Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that affects many people. It's caused by a uric acid crystal.
Gout is a kind of arthritis that produces pain and swelling in one or more joints. The big toe is usually affected. Other joints where it can be present include the knee, ankle, foot, hand, wrist, and elbow.
Psoriatic arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory disease that causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness in the morning. It's linked to having psoriasis or having a psoriasis family history. Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are both chronic autoimmune illnesses, which means that specific cells in the body attack other cells and tissues.
What causes arthritis?
The causes of various forms of arthritis is unknown. Gout, for example, is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body. The actual cause of some types of arthritis, on the other hand, is unknown. If you do any of the following, you may develop arthritis:
•Have a history of arthritis in your family.
•Have a profession or participate in a sport that puts strain on your joints on a regular basis.
•You may be suffering from autoimmune illnesses or viral infections.
What are the risk factors for arthritis?
You are more likely to develop arthritis if you have the following factors:
Age: As you get older, your chances of developing arthritis rise.
Life style: Smoking and a lack of exercise can both raise your risk of developing arthritis.
Sex: Women are more likely than men to develop arthritis.
Weight: Obesity places additional strain on your joints, which can lead to arthritis.
What are the symptoms of arthritis?
The symptoms of various forms of arthritis vary. In some persons, they are minor, while in others, they are severe. It's possible that joint discomfort will come and go, or that it will be constant. Symptoms that are common include:
•Pain.
•Redness.
•Stiffness.
•Swelling.
•Tenderness.
How is arthritis diagnosed?
Consult your physician if you suspect you have arthritis. The doctor will inquire about your symptoms and how joint discomfort impacts your daily life. A physical exam will be performed by your provider, which may include the following:
•Examining your joint mobility and range of motion.
•Examining the area around your joints for soreness or edoema.
•Taking a look at your general health to see whether your symptoms are being caused by something else.
Your healthcare provider can use imaging exams to gain a good view of your bones, joints, and soft tissues. An X-ray, an MRI, or an ultrasound can reveal the following:
•Fractures or dislocations of the bones that are causing joint pain.
•Cartilage degeneration surrounding the joints.
•Near your joints, you may have muscle, ligament, or tendon damage.
•Inflammation of the soft tissues.
How is arthritis treated?
Although there is no cure for arthritis, there are treatments that can help you manage it.
Non Surgical Treatment
Medication
Anti-inflammatory and pain drugs may assist to decrease the symptoms of arthritis.
Physical Therapy
Rehabilitation can improve range of motion (ROM) , mobility and strength which help is activity of daily living (ADL)
Injection
Cortisone injections can help relieve pain and inflammation in your joints for a short time.
Surgical Treatment
These are examples where conservative therapy have failed to improve the situation. Surgical options include the following:
Fusion
Two or more bones are permanently fused together in fusion. Fusion immobilizes a joint and alleviates movement-related discomfort.
Replacement
Joint replacement is the process of replacing a damaged or arthritic joint with an artificial joint. The function and movement of the joints are preserved with joint replacement. Ankle replacement, hip replacement, knee replacement, and shoulder replacement are just a few examples.
