Arthritis basic
Arthritis is a group of conditions involving damage to the joints of the body. arthritis is the leading cause of disability in people older than fifty-five years.
There are different forms of arthritis; each has a different cause. The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) is a result of trauma to the joint, infection of the joint, or age. Emerging evidence suggests that abnormal anatomy might contribute to the early development of osteoarthritis. Other arthritis forms are rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, autoimmune diseases in which the body attacks itself. Septic arthritis is caused by joint infection. Gout arthritis is caused by deposition of uric acid crystals in the joint, causing inflammation. There is also an uncommon form of gout cause by the formation of rhomboid crystals of calcium pyrophosphate. This gout is known as pseudogout.
History and physical examination
All arthritides feature pain. Pain patterns differ depending on the arthritis type and the location. osteoarthritis is typically worse at night or after resting. Rheumatoid arthritis is generally worse in the morning; in the early stages, patients often have no symptoms after a morning shower. In the aged and children, pain might not be the main feature; the aged patient simply moves less, the infantile patient refuses to use the affected limb.
Types of arthritis
Primary forms of arthritis:
osteoarthritis
Septic arthritis
Gout and pseudogout
Juvenile arthritis
Still's disease
Ankylosing spondylitis
Secondary to other diseases:
Lupus erythematosus
Psoriatic arthritis
Reactive arthritis
Hepatitis
Wegener's granulomatosis (and many other vasculitis syndromes)
Lyme disease
Treatment of arthritis
Treatment arthritis vary depending on the type of arthritis and include physical and occupational therapy, lifestyle changes (including exercise and weight control), and medications (symptomatic or targeted at the disease process causing the arthritis). Arthroplasty (joint replacement surgery) may be required in eroding forms of arthritis.
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