Arthritis is a condition of inflammation of a joint and is basically caused as smooth covering also called articular cartilage on ends of bones are worn down. Causing serious disability for people, Arthritis is a disease of adults but its occurrence in children can also be seen. Some of the types of Arthritis are:
· Osteoarthritis
· Rheumatoid arthritis
· Seronegative spondyloarthropathies
· Crytalline deposition diseases
· Septic arthritis
Causes
Arthritis is categorized under two major categories. These include:
· One caused by wear and tear on articular cartilage (osteoarthritis) because of natural aging process
· Second type is caused by any of the inflammatory processes
Regardless of causes including from injury, disease or normal wear and tear, the joints become swollen, stiff and inflamed and swollen which is also the main factor that causes long-lasting/permanent disability.
Types -
Osteoarthritis –
In osteoarthritis, cartilage covering bone ends gradually wears away that makes joints inflamed, thus causing pain and swelling. It results due to overuse, trauma or in cases of joint cartilage degeneration that takes place with age and mainly causes pain in joints including:
· Knee
· Hip
· Spine
Other than these some of the other areas that are affected by this include:
· Joints that are being extensively used or getting damaged from fractures/other injuries
· Other disorders including overload of articular cartilage
Rheumatoid Arthritis –
A long-lasting disease, Rheumatoid arthritis slows with age and can affect many parts of body mainly the joints. In this condition joint lining swells and invades surrounding tissues. Further, chemical substances are produced that attack and destroy joint surfaces. Affecting both large as well as small joints in the body including spine, the symptoms include:
· Swelling
· Pain
· Stiffness
Diagnosis
Arthritis can be correctly diagnosed through careful evaluation of symptoms as well as by conducting physical examination. Some of the tests that are part of diagnostic procedures include:
· X-rays - To show extent of any damage to joints
· Blood tests
· Other laboratory tests to determine type of arthritis
Some of the factors that provide confirmation of arthritis include:
· Weakness in muscles
· Tenderness of joints
· Limited movement ability of joints with and without assistance
· Signs of other joints getting painful/swollen
· Grating feeling/sound with movement
· Occurrence of pain when pressure is placed on joints or there is movement of joint
Medication
Medications including use of anti-inflammatory drugs can be used for controlling pain and inflammation in joints. The prescription is made by the doctor based on the factors like:
· Type of arthritis
· Its severity
· General physical health of the patient
Other than this, injections into joint may also temporarily help in relieving pain and swelling.
Therapy Schedules
The use of canes/crutches and other walking assistance aids may help patients in getting relief from stress and strain on arthritic joints. Here, the learning of specially formed less stressful processes for performing daily activities also helps in decreasing the pain of the joints. Further, exercises and physical therapies can also be used for decreasing:
· Stiffness
· Strengthening weakened muscles around joints
Surgery
The surgery option is taken by orthopaedic surgeon when other nonsurgical treatment methods have failed to provide desired relief from pain. While deciding on type of surgery that needs to be conducted, physician and patient take into account factors like:
· Type of arthritis
· Its severity
· Patient's physical condition
There are many surgical procedures that are used by a orthopaedic surgeon to provide relief. These include:
· Removing diseased/damaged joint lining
· Realignment of joints
· Fusing ends of bones in joint together so as to prevent joint motion as well as providing relief from joint pain
· Replacing entire joint using total joint replacement process
Long-Term Management
In most of the cases, persons having arthritis continue to perform normal daily activities. Some of the common measures that need to be followed by patients for reducing pain, joint stiffness and improve their functioning include:
· Exercise programs
· Anti-inflammatory drugs
· Weight reduction (for obese people)
· Osteoarthritis
· Rheumatoid arthritis
· Seronegative spondyloarthropathies
· Crytalline deposition diseases
· Septic arthritis
Causes
Arthritis is categorized under two major categories. These include:
· One caused by wear and tear on articular cartilage (osteoarthritis) because of natural aging process
· Second type is caused by any of the inflammatory processes
Regardless of causes including from injury, disease or normal wear and tear, the joints become swollen, stiff and inflamed and swollen which is also the main factor that causes long-lasting/permanent disability.
Types -
Osteoarthritis –
In osteoarthritis, cartilage covering bone ends gradually wears away that makes joints inflamed, thus causing pain and swelling. It results due to overuse, trauma or in cases of joint cartilage degeneration that takes place with age and mainly causes pain in joints including:
· Knee
· Hip
· Spine
Other than these some of the other areas that are affected by this include:
· Joints that are being extensively used or getting damaged from fractures/other injuries
· Other disorders including overload of articular cartilage
Rheumatoid Arthritis –
A long-lasting disease, Rheumatoid arthritis slows with age and can affect many parts of body mainly the joints. In this condition joint lining swells and invades surrounding tissues. Further, chemical substances are produced that attack and destroy joint surfaces. Affecting both large as well as small joints in the body including spine, the symptoms include:
· Swelling
· Pain
· Stiffness
Diagnosis
Arthritis can be correctly diagnosed through careful evaluation of symptoms as well as by conducting physical examination. Some of the tests that are part of diagnostic procedures include:
· X-rays - To show extent of any damage to joints
· Blood tests
· Other laboratory tests to determine type of arthritis
Some of the factors that provide confirmation of arthritis include:
· Weakness in muscles
· Tenderness of joints
· Limited movement ability of joints with and without assistance
· Signs of other joints getting painful/swollen
· Grating feeling/sound with movement
· Occurrence of pain when pressure is placed on joints or there is movement of joint
Medication
Medications including use of anti-inflammatory drugs can be used for controlling pain and inflammation in joints. The prescription is made by the doctor based on the factors like:
· Type of arthritis
· Its severity
· General physical health of the patient
Other than this, injections into joint may also temporarily help in relieving pain and swelling.
Therapy Schedules
The use of canes/crutches and other walking assistance aids may help patients in getting relief from stress and strain on arthritic joints. Here, the learning of specially formed less stressful processes for performing daily activities also helps in decreasing the pain of the joints. Further, exercises and physical therapies can also be used for decreasing:
· Stiffness
· Strengthening weakened muscles around joints
Surgery
The surgery option is taken by orthopaedic surgeon when other nonsurgical treatment methods have failed to provide desired relief from pain. While deciding on type of surgery that needs to be conducted, physician and patient take into account factors like:
· Type of arthritis
· Its severity
· Patient's physical condition
There are many surgical procedures that are used by a orthopaedic surgeon to provide relief. These include:
· Removing diseased/damaged joint lining
· Realignment of joints
· Fusing ends of bones in joint together so as to prevent joint motion as well as providing relief from joint pain
· Replacing entire joint using total joint replacement process
Long-Term Management
In most of the cases, persons having arthritis continue to perform normal daily activities. Some of the common measures that need to be followed by patients for reducing pain, joint stiffness and improve their functioning include:
· Exercise programs
· Anti-inflammatory drugs
· Weight reduction (for obese people)