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Arthritis

29 October 2023

There are many conditions that may cause swelling or inflammation in the joint area, and their general name is arthritis. Inflammation has two major types: osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease), and rheumatoid arthritis. Risk factors for inflammation include family history, obesity, injury, and older age. Treatment for inflammation varies depending on its severity, and may range from analgesics, to specialized medication and surgical procedures. Physiotherapy may also be of help.

Arthritis is a condition of swelling or inflammation in the joint area. In many situations, the joint itself, as well as the surrounding tissues and connective tissue, may be involved.

Arthritis symptoms

The main symptoms of arthritis are swelling, pain, stiffness, local redness, and sometimes decreased range of motion. These symptoms get worse with age.

Types of arthritis

There are two main types of arthritis: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease)

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis among older adults. This type of inflammation is caused by abrasion damage and damage to the joint cartilage. The joint cartilage limits joint motion and causes pain. The process of damage to the joint may last many years or appear shortly after an injury or acute inflammation.

With time, the structure of the joint undergoes changes, leading to bone abrasion and the development of local inflammation, resulting in chronic pain.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

This is a type of autoimmune disease where the body attacks its own joint capsule. This capsule, which is composed of connective tissue, becomes swollen and inflamed. Over time this disease damages both the bone itself and the cartilage within the joint.

Risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis may be:

  • Family history
  • The risk of inflammation tends to increase with age
  • Women are at a higher risk for inflammation than men
  • Obesity may increase the risk of inflammation
  • Joint injury sometimes leads to RA inflammation at the same joint

Continual injury to multiple joints can lead to a deformation in the anatomical structure over time; For instance, in the hands, such deformities may lead to functional impairment in daily functioning.

How do you diagnose arthritis

Diagnosing arthritis requires blood and urine tests, and sometimes removing fluid from the joint with a doctor’s referral. It may also necessitate imaging or invasive joint examination (arthroscopy).

Treatment of arthritis

Anti-inflammatory analgesics from the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) family can be used to relieve inflammation symptoms, as well as non-anti-inflammatory analgesics such as paracetamol. Some of these medications require a doctor’s prescription

If analgesics are not effective in alleviating pain, patients may opt for the option of steroid injection into the joint. This procedure is administered by an orthopedist

For rheumatoid arthritis, your rheumatologist may recommend another group of medications that can be effective but also come with a long list of potential side effects, such as bone marrow suppression or damage to the digestive system and the liver. Therefore, when taking these drugs, it is crucial to follow the instructions carefully. Sometimes additional medication may be required to minimize potential damages

Another group of drugs is the biological medications that have been developed in recent years for treating rheumatoid arthritis. These medications reduce the inflammatory reaction of the body through various mechanisms. For instance, Remicade, or Humira, which operate in a TNF mechanism, and Mabthera (Rituximab), which operates in an anti-CD20 mechanism. These medications are administered intravenously over a period of a few weeks on the recommendation of a rheumatologist. These medications may cause a variety of side effects, and may trigger the outbreak of latent diseases such as tuberculosis

Occasionally, when conservative treatment proves to be ineffective for treating arthritis, surgical options such as joint replacement surgery may be considered

The treatment of arthritis does not solely rely on medication or surgery. Physiotherapy can also help preserve the range of motion and strengthen the muscles around the joint

For pain relief, you can try alternative medicine treatments such as acupuncture, using a TENS device, and nutritional additives for strengthening the joint, such as Glucosamine