Arthritis
The word arthritis comes from the Greekarthron meaning "joint" and the Latin itismeaning
"inflammation".
The plural of arthritis is arthritides. Arthritis affects the musculoskeletal system,
specifically the joints. It is the main cause of disability among people over
fifty-five years of age in industrialized countries.
Arthritis is not a single disease - it is a term that covers over 100 medical conditions.Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and generally affects elderly patients. Some forms of arthritis can affect people at a very early age.
Arthritis is not a single disease - it is a term that covers over 100 medical conditions.Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and generally affects elderly patients. Some forms of arthritis can affect people at a very early age.
What causes arthritis?
In order to better understand what is going on when a
person suffers from some form of arthritis, let us look at how a joint works.
Basically, a joint is where one bone moves on another
bone. Ligaments hold the two bones together. The ligaments are like elastic
bands, while they keep the bones in place your muscles relax or contract to
make the joint move.
Cartilage covers the bone surface to stop the two bones from rubbing directly against each other. The covering of cartilage allows the joint to work smoothly and painlessly.
A capsule surrounds the joint. The space within the joint - the joint cavity - has synovial fluid. Synovial fluid nourishes the joint and the cartilage. The synovial fluid is produced by the synovium (synovial membrane) which lines the joint cavity.
If you have arthritis something goes wrong with the joint(s). What goes wrong depends on what type of arthritis you have. It could be that the cartilage is wearing away, a lack of fluid, autoimmunity (your body attacking itself), infection, or a combination of many factors.
Cartilage covers the bone surface to stop the two bones from rubbing directly against each other. The covering of cartilage allows the joint to work smoothly and painlessly.
A capsule surrounds the joint. The space within the joint - the joint cavity - has synovial fluid. Synovial fluid nourishes the joint and the cartilage. The synovial fluid is produced by the synovium (synovial membrane) which lines the joint cavity.
If you have arthritis something goes wrong with the joint(s). What goes wrong depends on what type of arthritis you have. It could be that the cartilage is wearing away, a lack of fluid, autoimmunity (your body attacking itself), infection, or a combination of many factors.
Types of arthritis
There are over 100 types of arthritis. Here is a
description of some common ones, together with the causes:
·
Osteoarthritis - cartilage loses its elasticity. If
the cartilage is stiff it becomes damaged more easily. The cartilage, which
acts as a shock absorber, will gradually wear away in some areas. As the
cartilage becomes damaged tendons and ligaments become stretched, causing pain.
Eventually the bones may rub against each other causing very severe pain.
·
Rheumatoid arthritis - this is an inflammatory form of
arthritis. The synovial membrane (synovium) is attacked, resulting in swelling
and pain. If left untreated the arthritis can lead to deformity. Rheumatoid arthritis is significantly
more common in women than men and generally strikes when the patient is aged
between 40 and 60.
·
Infectious arthritis (septic arthritic) - an infection in
the synovial fluid and tissues of a joint. It is usually caused by bacteria,
but could also be caused by fungi or viruses. Bacteria, fungi or viruses may
spread through the bloodstream from infected tissue nearby, and infect a joint.
Most susceptible people are those who already have some form of arthritis and
develop an infection that travels in the bloodstream.
·
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) - means arthritis
that affects a person aged 16 or less. JRA can be various forms of arthritis;
it basically means that a child has it. There are three main types:
1. Pauciarticular JRA, the most common and mildest. The child experiences pain in up to 4 joints.
2. Polyarticular JRA affects more joints and is more severe. As time goes by it tends to get worse.
3. Systemic JRA is the least common. Pain is experienced in many joints. It can spread to organs. This can be the most serious JRA.
1. Pauciarticular JRA, the most common and mildest. The child experiences pain in up to 4 joints.
2. Polyarticular JRA affects more joints and is more severe. As time goes by it tends to get worse.
3. Systemic JRA is the least common. Pain is experienced in many joints. It can spread to organs. This can be the most serious JRA.
What are the signs and
symptoms of arthritis?
The symptoms of arthritis depend on the type of
arthritis, for example:
·
Osteoarthritis - The symptoms develop slowly and get
worse as time goes by. There is pain in a joint, either during or after use, or
after a period of inactivity. There will be tenderness when pressure is applied
to the joint. The joint will be stiff, especially first thing in the morning.
The patient may find it harder to use the joint - it loses its flexibility.
Some patients experience a grating sensation when they use the joint. Hard
lumps, or bone spurs may appear around the joint. In some cases the joint might
swell. The most common affected joints are in the hips, hands, knees and spine.
·
Rheumatoid arthritis - The patient often finds the same
joints in each side of the body are painfully swollen, inflamed, and stiff. The
fingers, arms, legs and wrists are most commonly affected. Symptoms are usually
worst on waking up in the morning and the stiffness can last for 30 minutes at
this time. The joint is tender when touched. Hands may be red and puffy. There
may be rheumatoid nodules (bumps of tissue under the skin of the patient's
arms). Many patients with rheumatoid arthritis feel tired most of the time.
Weight loss is common.
The smaller joints are usually noticeably affected first. Experts say patients with rheumatoid arthritis have problems with several joints at the same time. As the arthritis progresses it spreads from the smaller joints in your hands, wrists, ankles and feet to your elbows, knees, hips, neck, shoulders and jaw.
The smaller joints are usually noticeably affected first. Experts say patients with rheumatoid arthritis have problems with several joints at the same time. As the arthritis progresses it spreads from the smaller joints in your hands, wrists, ankles and feet to your elbows, knees, hips, neck, shoulders and jaw.
·
Infectious arthritis - The patient has a fever, joint inflammation and
swelling. He will feel tenderness and/or a sharp pain. Often these symptoms are
linked to an injury or another illness. Most commonly affected areas are the
knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist and finger. In the majority of cases, just one
joint is affected.
·
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis - The patient is a
child. He will experience intermittent fevers which tend to peak in the evening
and then suddenly disappear. His appetite will be poor and he will lose weight.
There may be blotchy rashes on his arms and legs. Anemia is also common. The
child may limp or have a sore wrist, finger, or knee. A joint may suddenly
swell and stay larger than it usually is. The child may experience a stiff
neck, hips or some other joint.
How will arthritis affect
me?
Arthritis affects people in many different ways. How long
the patient is affected and how severely it is depends on the type of
arthritis. Arthritis sufferers will find there are good and bad days. Most
patients with arthritis will suffer from discomfort, pain, stiffness and/or fatigue.
You may also feel frustrated that you are no longer able to grip things so well or get around like you used to. It is important to remember that if you suffer from arthritis this does not mean you have to give up having an active lifestyle. With some changes to your way of life there is no reason why you cannot continue being active.
You may also feel frustrated that you are no longer able to grip things so well or get around like you used to. It is important to remember that if you suffer from arthritis this does not mean you have to give up having an active lifestyle. With some changes to your way of life there is no reason why you cannot continue being active.
Physical therapy and
occupational therapy for arthritis
Physical therapy and occupational therapy help maintain joint mobility
and range of motion. How much therapy you need, and what kind of therapy will
depend on many factors, such as the severity and type of arthritis you have,
your age, and your general state of health. This has to be decided by you with
your physician and physical or occupational therapist.
People with arthritis will often avoid moving the affected joint because of the pain. A physical therapist can help the patient work out the joint stiffness without damaging it. In order to perform your daily activity the physical therapist will help you achieve a good range of motion. This may involve building strength in the muscles that surround the affected joint - stronger muscles help stabilize a weakened joint. You will also be taught the best way to move from one position to another, as well as learning how to use such walking aids as crutches, a cane or a walker, if you need one.
Occupational therapy can teach you how to reduce the strain on your joints as you go about your daily activities. The occupational therapist can help you modify your home and workplace so that your movements do not aggravate your arthritis. You may need a splint for your hands or wrists, as well as aids for dressing, housekeeping, work activities, driving and washing/bathing yourself.
An occupational and/or physical therapist can make an enormous difference to your quality of life if you suffer from arthritis. He/she will help you learn more about your arthritis, devise a dietary plan if you are overweight and overstressing the joints as a result, help you make better decisions about what shoes to buy if that part of the body is affected. You will learn how and when to rest - rest is crucial for treating inflammation and pain, especially when many joints are affected and you feel tired. Resting individual joints is very helpful too - custom splints can be made to rest and support affected joints.
Local pain can be relieved with ice packs or heating pads. Ultrasound and hot packs provide deep heat which relieves localized pain and relaxes muscle spasm around the affected joint. You may find that a warm bath/shower makes it easier for you to exercise afterwards.
Physical activity can improve arthritis symptoms - doctors warn that inactivity could harm the health of most patients with arthritis or some kind of rheumatic disease. Inactivity raises the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes type 2. Muscles become weaker with no exercise, joints become stiffer, and the patient's tolerance for pain decreases. Balance problems may also become worse.
People with arthritis will often avoid moving the affected joint because of the pain. A physical therapist can help the patient work out the joint stiffness without damaging it. In order to perform your daily activity the physical therapist will help you achieve a good range of motion. This may involve building strength in the muscles that surround the affected joint - stronger muscles help stabilize a weakened joint. You will also be taught the best way to move from one position to another, as well as learning how to use such walking aids as crutches, a cane or a walker, if you need one.
Occupational therapy can teach you how to reduce the strain on your joints as you go about your daily activities. The occupational therapist can help you modify your home and workplace so that your movements do not aggravate your arthritis. You may need a splint for your hands or wrists, as well as aids for dressing, housekeeping, work activities, driving and washing/bathing yourself.
An occupational and/or physical therapist can make an enormous difference to your quality of life if you suffer from arthritis. He/she will help you learn more about your arthritis, devise a dietary plan if you are overweight and overstressing the joints as a result, help you make better decisions about what shoes to buy if that part of the body is affected. You will learn how and when to rest - rest is crucial for treating inflammation and pain, especially when many joints are affected and you feel tired. Resting individual joints is very helpful too - custom splints can be made to rest and support affected joints.
Local pain can be relieved with ice packs or heating pads. Ultrasound and hot packs provide deep heat which relieves localized pain and relaxes muscle spasm around the affected joint. You may find that a warm bath/shower makes it easier for you to exercise afterwards.
Physical activity can improve arthritis symptoms - doctors warn that inactivity could harm the health of most patients with arthritis or some kind of rheumatic disease. Inactivity raises the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes type 2. Muscles become weaker with no exercise, joints become stiffer, and the patient's tolerance for pain decreases. Balance problems may also become worse.
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