ARTHRITIS
Arthritis is a word that means joint inflammation. Arthritis is a group of many distinct conditions that affect the structure and/or function of the joints. Joints are the point of connection between bones. The causes of most forms of arthritis are not completely understood. They are one of the leading causes of physical disability in the United States. Arthritis is seen in all age groups, cultures, and climates. Risk of developing arthritis increases with age, overuse of a joint, a family history of arthritis, joint infection, joint surgery, and injections in the joint, obesity, severe or frequent injury of a joint; and with multiple other diseases.
Two common types of arthritis are:
Degenerative joint disease, also referred to as osteoarthritis (OA), is the most common type of arthritis. It is seen most frequently in older people. In OA, the cartilage which serves as cushions in many joints becomes rougher and thinner, leading to pain, disability, and deformity in some patients.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory arthritis and arguably the most destructive.It can affect any joint, and is characterized by inflammation of the synovial membrane, a sac that contains synovial fluid that serves to "lubricate" the joint. RA is seen at all ages, and is frequently symmetric, meaning it affects the same joints on both sides of the body. The cause of RA seems to be an autoimmune condition, in which the body's defenses attack itself.
Symptoms may include:
Persistent joint pain, pain and stiffness of a joint that is worse in the morning; and mild to severe inflammation (redness, tenderness, swelling, warmth).
You may hear "crackles" in the joint with movement.
Symptoms may tend to come and go. Fatigue, weight loss, lack of appetite, spleen enlargement; and lung, brain, and heart abnormalities may be seen in inflammatory arthritis.
Arthritis caused by infection can produce chills and fever.
What your doctor can do:
Ask about your symptoms, medical history, and family history
Perform a physical exam
Order X-rays and lab studies of fluid in the joint and blood.
Drug therapy may include any of several medications.
Splints or casts may be used to rest affected joints.
In some cases, surgical joint replacement may be necessary.
What you can do:
Treatment goals include relieving pain and stiffness, maintaining mobility, and stopping or slowing joint damage and deformity.
Using a combination of therapies is usually best. You must balance rest and exercise.
Maintain mobility but do not overuse the joint; this can cause further inflammation.
The best balance is very individual and should be planned in cooperation with your doctor and possibly a physical therapist.
Weight reduction, if you are overweight, and other lifestyle changes may be recommended.
Hot and/or cold therapy is helpful for many forms of arthritis and in many people. A hot shower may be all that is needed for mild joint stiffness in the morning.
Alternate heat and cold is effective in relieving pain for many people.
Prevention includes protecting joints from overuse, maintaining ideal weight, and receiving treatment for any infectious illness. There is no known prevention for many forms of arthritis.
More information is available from the Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org or 1-800-283-7800)
What you can expect:
Early, aggressive treatment can delay much of the deformity and loss of function. Although most forms of arthritis are life-long illnesses, some may be cured completely with proper treatment. In almost all cases, treatment can provide considerable relief from pain.
Complications of arthritis include permanent joint damage, deformity, or disability with accompanying restrictions on mobility and activities.
Contact your doctor if you suffer symptoms of arthritis, if your symptoms worsen despite receiving treatment, or if you develop side effects from medications.
Arthritis is a word that means joint inflammation. Arthritis is a group of many distinct conditions that affect the structure and/or function of the joints. Joints are the point of connection between bones. The causes of most forms of arthritis are not completely understood. They are one of the leading causes of physical disability in the United States. Arthritis is seen in all age groups, cultures, and climates. Risk of developing arthritis increases with age, overuse of a joint, a family history of arthritis, joint infection, joint surgery, and injections in the joint, obesity, severe or frequent injury of a joint; and with multiple other diseases.
Two common types of arthritis are:
Degenerative joint disease, also referred to as osteoarthritis (OA), is the most common type of arthritis. It is seen most frequently in older people. In OA, the cartilage which serves as cushions in many joints becomes rougher and thinner, leading to pain, disability, and deformity in some patients.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory arthritis and arguably the most destructive.It can affect any joint, and is characterized by inflammation of the synovial membrane, a sac that contains synovial fluid that serves to "lubricate" the joint. RA is seen at all ages, and is frequently symmetric, meaning it affects the same joints on both sides of the body. The cause of RA seems to be an autoimmune condition, in which the body's defenses attack itself.
Symptoms may include:
Persistent joint pain, pain and stiffness of a joint that is worse in the morning; and mild to severe inflammation (redness, tenderness, swelling, warmth).
You may hear "crackles" in the joint with movement.
Symptoms may tend to come and go. Fatigue, weight loss, lack of appetite, spleen enlargement; and lung, brain, and heart abnormalities may be seen in inflammatory arthritis.
Arthritis caused by infection can produce chills and fever.
What your doctor can do:
Ask about your symptoms, medical history, and family history
Perform a physical exam
Order X-rays and lab studies of fluid in the joint and blood.
Drug therapy may include any of several medications.
Splints or casts may be used to rest affected joints.
In some cases, surgical joint replacement may be necessary.
What you can do:
Treatment goals include relieving pain and stiffness, maintaining mobility, and stopping or slowing joint damage and deformity.
Using a combination of therapies is usually best. You must balance rest and exercise.
Maintain mobility but do not overuse the joint; this can cause further inflammation.
The best balance is very individual and should be planned in cooperation with your doctor and possibly a physical therapist.
Weight reduction, if you are overweight, and other lifestyle changes may be recommended.
Hot and/or cold therapy is helpful for many forms of arthritis and in many people. A hot shower may be all that is needed for mild joint stiffness in the morning.
Alternate heat and cold is effective in relieving pain for many people.
Prevention includes protecting joints from overuse, maintaining ideal weight, and receiving treatment for any infectious illness. There is no known prevention for many forms of arthritis.
More information is available from the Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org or 1-800-283-7800)
What you can expect:
Early, aggressive treatment can delay much of the deformity and loss of function. Although most forms of arthritis are life-long illnesses, some may be cured completely with proper treatment. In almost all cases, treatment can provide considerable relief from pain.
Complications of arthritis include permanent joint damage, deformity, or disability with accompanying restrictions on mobility and activities.
Contact your doctor if you suffer symptoms of arthritis, if your symptoms worsen despite receiving treatment, or if you develop side effects from medications.
