Arthritis is studied as the tenderness and swelling of one of the multiple joints. There are over a hundred types of arthritis, defined by different causes and treatment options, some of the most common types include Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Osteoarthritis (OA).
The symptoms develop over time; however, some may also show up suddenly. It is more common in individuals ageing over 65 years. According to medical studies, arthritis is more common in women and overweight people as compared to men. The most usual symptoms of the orthopedic condition are stiffness and joint pain that worsens with age.
In osteoarthritis, the cartilage (hard and slippery tissue covering the bone ends that forms the joint) breaks down. In the case of RA patients, the immune system attacks their joints, starting from the lining of the joints.
Gout, another typical type of arthritis occurs when the uric acid crystals are formed by higher levels of uric acid in the blood. Infections like lupus and psoriasis can cause other types of arthritis.
The treatment options vary from type to type, intending to minimize and control the symptoms for a better quality of life.
Causes of arthritis
The causes of arthritis are not limited, but varying from one type to another. The common possible causes of arthritis include:
- Inheritance, as in osteoarthritis
- An injury that leads to degenerative arthritis
- Abnormal metabolism, in the case of gout and pseudo gout
- Dysfunctional immune system, such as in SLE and RA
- Certain infections causing arthritis of Lyme disease
More or less, types of arthritis are connected to a combination of parameters. However, some types may not show any particular root cause or occur as a result of unpredictable causes.
Some people experience the condition due to genetic factors. Additional causes of the orthopedic condition may include smoking, occupations involving strenuous physical activity, infection, etc.
Diet and nutrition also play a crucial role in controlling the risk of arthritis. Foods that give way to inflammation, specifically animal-derived foods and diets high in refined sugar tend to worsen the symptoms.
Gout is an arthritis type that links closely to an individual diet because it results from increased levels of uric acid due to high-purine foods, such as red wine, meats, and seafood.
Symptoms of arthritis
Major arthritis symptoms include limited functioning of joints and joint inflammation. The inflammation of joints is characterized by swelling, joint stiffness, pain, warmth, and redness.
Here are some more details on some arthritis symptoms:
- Tenderness of an inflamed joint may or may not cause pain.
- Joint stiffness results in poor functioning.
- When arthritis impacts the small joints of the fingers, it may show bone growth or decreased grip strength and hand grip showing stiffness.
- When arthritis impacts a large joint like the knee, it results in loss of cartilage, limiting the damaged joint movement.
- Arthritis involving weight-bearing joints can cause difficulty walking due to poor functioning of joints and pain.
In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, the symptoms may affect different parts of the body, without directly involving the joints. Such symptoms include
- Weight loss
- Swelling of glands
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Feeling unwell
- Lungs, kidneys, or heart abnormalities
Diagnosis of arthritis
When you see an orthopedist, he/she will conduct a physical exam to check for any swelling, warmth, and redness of the joints. They will also analyze your joint movements.
Laboratory tests
To diagnose arthritis, an orthopedician will start with analyzing the different body fluids, such as blood, urine, and joint fluid. The doctor will cleanse and numb the specific area, insert a needle in the joint space to take a sample of the fluid.
Some of the common imaging tests to diagnose arthritis involve:
X-rays: A radiologist will perform X-rays using low radiation levels to visualize the affected bone for any cartilage loss, bone spurs and bone damage. This method doesn’t unveil initial damage by arthritis but is favorable for tracking the progression of the condition.
CT scan: CT scanners extract X-rays from multiple angles and combine the results to develop cross-sectional views of the bone’s internal structures. CT scans help to visualize both bone and the soft tissues surrounding it.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): In this method, radio waves are using in combination with a powerful magnetic field to produce detailed cross-sectional images of soft tissues, such as tendons, ligaments, and cartilage.
Ultrasound: It is an imaging technology that uses high-frequency sound waves to capture images of soft tissues, fluid-containing structures close to the joints, and cartilage. The process is used to provide the right path for needle placement to remove joint fluid or injecting certain medications.
Treatment for arthritis
The treatment options for arthritis focuses on reducing the symptoms and improving the quality of life. Different treatments help in treating different types of arthritis. According to the symptoms, the orthopedician will suggest a treatment option that best suits you.
Medications
Certain medications help treating the symptoms of arthritis, such as:
NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs help to relieve inflammation and reduce pain. Some suggested NSAIDs include ibuprofen and naproxen.
Steroids: Based on the extremity of the symptoms, your doctor may also prescribe corticosteroid medications to reduce pain and inflammation. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone may be prescribed in form of pills or injection.
DMARDs (Disease-modifying Antirheumatic Drugs): DMARDs are drugs that slow the progress of RA and prevent permanent damage of joints and surrounding soft tissues.
Note: Only take medications prescribed by your orthopedician. DO not go for over-the-counter medicines unless prescribed.
Therapy
For some types of arthritis, physical therapy can prove to be helpful. Exercises promote a better range of motion and make the muscles stronger.
Surgery
If the above-mentioned conservative measures don’t work, the orthopedician may suggest undergoing a surgical method, such as:
Joint repair: In this type, joint surfaces are smoothened or realigned to improve functioning and reduce pain. These procedures are often performed arthroscopically – making small incisions in the affected joint.
Joint replacement: The process removes the affected joint, which is replaced by an artificial one. Joint replacement is suggested mostly for larger joints, such as knees and hips.
Joint fusion: This process is suggested mostly for smaller joints, such as those in the ankle, wrist, and fingers. Joint fusion involves the removal of the ends of the two bones forming the joint and locks them together until complete healing.
Prevention of arthritis
Though over age preventing arthritis becomes difficult, one can always adopt ways to reduce its risk at a younger age. Here are a few tested and proven ways to prevent the orthopedic condition:
Weight loss: Maintain a healthy weight to keep away from the risk of developing osteoarthritis. Losing weight can also help to control the initial symptoms of OA.
Have a healthy diet: Choose a diet high in antioxidants, such as vegetables, herbs, and fresh fruits. It reduces the chance of inflammation. Some other foods to reduce inflammation are nuts and fish.
Avoid certain foods: Patients already diagnosed with arthritis can control their symptoms by cutting down their intake of fried foods, dairy products, meat, and processed foods.
Practice a gluten-free diet: To keep away from rheumatoid arthritis, take a gluten-free diet. It also helps in reducing the symptoms of RA.
Regular exercise: Regular physical exercises or activities like swimming allows the body to stay active and increase the flexibility of joints. Some of the simple physical activities to involve in the daily routine are walking or running. However, do not overexert your body.
Practice simple exercises like head tilt, neck rotation to relieve neck pain. To ease pain in the hands, try thumb and finger bends. For knee pain, practice leg raises and hamstring stretches.