Arthritis

What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is not a single disease, but an umbrella term for joint pain or joint disease. It simply means "inflammation of the joint."

There are over 100 types, but the two most common are Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

The Two Main Types

Understanding which type you have is crucial for treatment.

1. Osteoarthritis (The "Wear and Tear" Type)

This is the most common form. It happens when the cartilage—the slippery tissue that cushions the ends of your bones—wears down over time. Eventually, bone rubs directly against bone, causing pain and restricted movement.

2. Rheumatoid Arthritis (The "Autoimmune" Type)

In RA, the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joint capsule (synovium). This lining becomes inflamed and swollen. Over time, it can destroy cartilage and bone causing joint deformity.

Symptoms

While symptoms vary by type, common signs include:

• Pain: Which may be constant or come and go.
• Stiffness: Typically worse in the morning or after sitting for a long time.
• Swelling: Redness and warmth around the joint (more common in RA).
• Decreased Range of Motion: Difficulty moving the joint fully.

Risk Factors

• Age: Risk increases as you get older.
• Weight: Excess weight puts stress on joints like knees, hips, and spine.
• Previous Injury: An old sports injury can lead to arthritis in that joint years later.
• Genetics: RA tends to run in families.

Diagnosis

Doctors use physical exams and imaging to pinpoint the type:

• X-Rays: Can show bone spurs and loss of cartilage (bone-on-bone).
• Blood Tests: Used to detect Rheumatoid Factor (RF) or other markers of inflammation for autoimmune arthritis.
• Joint Aspiration: Drawing fluid from the joint to check for infection or crystals (like in Gout).

Treatment

The goal is to reduce pain and prevent further damage.

1. Medications

• Analgesics: Pain relievers like Tylenol (Acetaminophen).
• NSAIDs: Anti-inflammatories like Ibuprofen (Advil) or Naproxen (Aleve) reduce both pain and swelling.
• Counterirritants: Creams containing menthol or capsaicin (pepper extract) to block pain signals.
• DMARDs & Biologics: Powerful drugs (like Methotrexate or Humira) used specifically for Rheumatoid Arthritis to stop the immune system attacks.

2. Therapy & Lifestyle

• Physical Therapy: Exercises to strengthen the muscles around the joint.
• Weight Loss: Losing even a few pounds can drastically reduce pain in the knees and hips.
• Low-Impact Exercise: Swimming and water aerobics are excellent because the water supports your weight, reducing joint stress.

3. Surgery

If conservative treatments fail, surgery may be an option:

• Joint Replacement: Replacing the damaged joint with an artificial one (common for hips and knees).
• Joint Fusion: Locking the ends of two bones together (common for wrists/ankles).

Disclaimer: The content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician regarding any medical condition.