Mainly there are two types of arthritis: Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Other types of arthritis include Gout (gouty arthritis) and Pseudo Gout, Stills disease, Lupus Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and Septic Arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is due to wear and tear damage to cartilage as a result of bones directly grinding on each other over many years, so more common amongst the old age people.
Rheumatoid arthritis is due to an attack on the joints by the body’s immune system resulting in inflammation of the synovium, the soft tissue that lines the non-cartilaginous surfaces within joints with cavities and bears the synovial fluid (lubricating fluid for the joints), causing pain, swelling and redness. Eventually the cartilage and the bone are completely destroyed within the joint.
Arthritis may be caused due to other diseases. For example Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Henoch-Schonlein Purpura, Psoriatic arthritis, Reactive arthritis, Haemochromatosis, Lyme disease, Familial Mediterranian Fever, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, etc.
The diseases which mimic arthritis are Multiple myeloma, Osteoporosis, Parvovirus infection, Hypertrophic Osteoarthropathy.
Family history of arthritis, old age, obesity and previous injury to joints are risk factors for arthritis. Sex is also important in development of arthritis. Women are more prone to arthritis.
Symptoms of arthritis include pain, stiffness, swelling, redness, inflammation and reduced range of movements.
Some generalized symptoms may accompany like fever, fatigue, body rash, weight loss, breathing difficulty, dryness of eyes and mouth and sweating at nights.
Arthritis can be diagnosed by medical history and physical examination. Medical history includes speed and time of onset, early morning symptoms, symmetry of symptoms, the conditions that aggravate or relieve the symptoms and other systemic symptoms.
By analyzing different body fluids it is possible to diagnose the type of arthritis. Blood, Urine and the Joint fluid can be tested. Blood may be tested for presence of rheumatoid factor, antinuclear factor, specific antibodies or extractable nuclear antigen.
X-rays and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can be done to check the damage caused. Arthroscopy can also be done wherein a small, flexible tube (arthroscope) is inserted in the joint through an incision. The scope conveys the inside images of the joint to a video screen.
If arthritis is diagnosed at early stages measures can be taken to lessen pain, uneasiness and the danger of disability. The treatment is given to relieve the symptoms and to improve functioning of the joints. Different treatment or combinations of treatments need to be tried to find out the best suited treatment.
The treatment includes physiotherapy, occupational therapy, medications, diet supplements and changes in life style.
The treatment includes agents to reduce pain, to interfere with the signals of pain originating from joints, to reduce inflammation and to reduce or stop the immune response.
The drugs given may be analgesics, counterirritants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, biologics or corticosteroids.
Physiotherapy may help improve the movements. Exercise can improve the movements and make the muscles adjoining the joints strong. In general physical exercise of the affected joint helps to a great extent. Loosing weight, heat and cold treatments, weight loss help to control the pain.
Surgery may be done to bring back functioning and to relieve pain. Surgery improves the capability to do daily tasks comfortably. Surgery could be Synovium Removal (Synovectomy) Joint Replacement Surgeries or Joint Fusion Surgery.
Osteoarthritis can not be cured but people with this can live active life with treatment. In rheumatoid arthritis treatment helps in relieving pain, reducing inflammation, delay the damage to joints, increasing functioning and overall well being of a patient.
In complicated cases of arthritis if it is of hands then it is difficult to carry out the daily tasks. Severe arthritis of weight bearing joints can make walking difficult or impossible. In some cases there may be twisting of joints and deformity may be caused.
