Arthritis (from Greek arthro-, joint + -itis, inflammation; plural: arthritides) is a group of conditions involving damage to the joints of the body.
Arthritis has more than 100 different forms. Osteoarthritis - degenerative joint disease - is the most common form, which is a result of trauma, infection of the joint or age. Rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, autoimmune diseases are other arthritis forms. Joint infection is causing septic arthritis. Gouty arthritis is caused by deposition of uric acid crystals in the joint, causing inflammation. There is also an uncommon form of gout, which is named pseudogout. This form is caused by the formation of rhomboid crystals of calcium pyrophosphate.
History and physical examination
All kinds of arthritis cause pain. Pain types are different depending on the kind of arthritis and its location. The worst rheumatoid arthritis is in the morning and this state is associated with stiffness; at the begging of this illness, patients often have no symptoms in the begging of the day. The old people and children should not keep this type pain as the main presenting feature of arthritis; the aged patient simply are used to live more stable, they are moving less, the infantile patient often refuses to use the affected and painful limb.
Elements of the history of the disorder guide diagnosis. Very important features are speed and time of onset, temple of joint involvement, symmetry of symptoms, early morning stiffness, and tenderness, gelling or locking with inactivity, aggravating and relieving factors, and other systemic symptoms. The diagnosis might be confirmed by physical examination, or these tests may indicate the systemic illness. Frequently for the purpose to follow a progression or assess severity in a more quantitative manner is used a radiographs.
Blood tests and X-rays of the affected joints may be keeping important things making the diagnosis. If the certain arthritis is suspected, the screening blood tests should be done. The results of this test may show a rheumatoid factor, antinuclear factor (ANF), extractable nuclear antigen, and specific antibodies.
There are some treatment options. They are depending from the kind of arthritis. The choice of the treatment may be Physical therapy, lifestyle changes (including exercise and weight control), orthopedic bracing, medications and dietary supplements (symptomatic or targeted at the disease process causing the arthritis). Arthroplasty (joint replacement surgery) is suggested in eroding forms of arthritis.
On the whole, it is proved by many studies that physical exercising of the affected joint can have severe improvement in terms of long-term pain relief. Furthermore, it is suggesting always to do some exercise, to live healthy in a purpose to avoid the arthritic joint.
