Arthritis

Definition

Definition of Arthritis
Arthritis is the inflammation of a joint or joints that causes pain, stiffness and swelling. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in people over the age of 65.

Types of Arthritis: There are more than 100 joints connecting the body's 206 bones. Most of the major bone connections in the body are joints designed to allow a broad range of motion. There are different kinds for different functions: ball-and-socket (hips and shoulders), saddle joints (which connect thumb to hand), hinge joints (fingers and knees) or pivot joints (wrists).

Tied together by ligaments, the bones of joints are capped with a smooth substance called cartilage. This tough elastic material acts as a shock absorber and allows the bone ends to glide smoothly across each other. If the cartilage is destroyed (as in osteoarthritis), the bones of a joint can grind against each other causing pain, loss of mobility, deformity and dysfunction.

Between the bones is a joint cavity, which gives the bones room to move. The joint space between two bones is enclosed by a capsule that's flexible, yet strong enough to protect the joint against dislocation. The inner lining of this capsule, the synovium, produces a thick fluid that lubricates and nourishes the joint. In many forms of arthritis, the synovium becomes inflamed and thickened, producing extra fluid which contains inflammatory cells. The inflamed synovium and fluid can damage the cartilage and underlying bone.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Arthritis
Arthritis types share many common symptoms including:

1. Pain
2. Stiffness in the joint
3. Loss of mobility or movement in the joint
4. Swelling
5. Redness and warmth on the skin over the joint

Causes

Causes of Arthritis
The two main types of arthritis are osteoarthritis (sometimes referred to as OA) and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the common form whereby cartilage between the bones in the joints begins to waste away causing the bones to rub against each other. This is the degenerative type of arthritis and can lead to misalignment of the joints particularly in the knees, hips, spine and hands.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a more severe form of arthritis but less common than OA. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs as the body's immune system attacks and damages the joints causing pain and swelling. This form of arthritis reduces function of the joint leading to a loss in mobility as the cartilage and bone is destroyed.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Arthritis
A common side effect of all forms of arthritis is pain. The pain levels vary depending on where it is concentrated on the body and the type of arthritis.

Typically rheumatoid arthritis is worse in the morning and in the early development patients will cease to display symptoms following a shower. Whilst osteoarthritis is predominantly worse in the evening or following rest. When diagnosing arthritis practitioners are guided by the elements and features of the pain history i.e. joints involved, the factors that contribute towards relief and similarly onset of pain.

As part of the diagnosis and in tandem with the physical examination, radiographs are often used to track the progression and quantify the acuteness of the damage. In addition X-rays and blood test will also be used to help reach a firm diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment of Arthritis
There is no cure for either rheumatoid or osteoarthritis. Treatment options vary depending on the type of arthritis and include physical therapy, lifestyle changes (including exercise and weight control), orthopedic bracing, medications. Joint replacement surgery may be required in eroding forms of arthritis. Medications can help reduce inflammation in the joint which decreases pain. Moreover, by decreasing inflammation, the joint damage may be slowed.

1. Physical Therapy: In general, studies have shown that physical exercise of the affected joint can have noticeable improvement in terms of long-term pain relief. Furthermore, exercise of the arthritic joint is encouraged to maintain the health of the particular joint and the overall body of the person. Individuals with arthritis can benefit from both physical and occupational therapy. In arthritis the joints become stiff and the range of movement can be limited. Physical therapy has been shown to significantly improve function, decrease pain, and delay need for surgical intervention in advanced cases. Exercise prescribed by a physical therapist has been shown to be more effective than medications in treating osteoarthritis of the knee. Exercise often focuses on improving muscle strength, endurance and flexibility. In some cases, exercises may be designed to train balance. Occupational therapy can provide assistance with activities as well as equipment.
2. Medications: There are several types of medications that are used for the treatment of arthritis. Treatment typically begins with medications that have the fewest side effects with further medications being added if insufficiently effective.

Treatment also depends on the type of the arthritis. For example, the first-line treatment for osteoarthritis is acetaminophen while for inflammatory arthritis it involves non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen.

Prognosis

Prognosis of Arthritis
A few arthritis-related disorders can be completely cured with proper treatment.

Prevention

Prevention of Arthritis
Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent joint damage. If you have a family history of arthritis, tell your doctor, even if you do not have joint pain.