2. INTRODUCTION
Arthritis is defined as an acute or chronic joint inflammation in the
joint. Arthritis is the swelling and tenderness of one or more joints.
The word "arthritis" means "joint inflammation." Inflammation is
one of your body's natural reactions to disease or injury. It includes
swelling, pain, and stiffness, joint deformities.
Inflammation that lasts a very long time or comes back, as in
arthritis, can lead to tissue damage.
4. Arthritis is a broad term that covers a group of over 100 diseases. There are
some similaritis between these conditions, but there are also some key
differences. Most common being,
OSTEOARTHRITIS:
It occurs when the protective cartilage that
cushions the ends of the bones wears down over
time. Although osteoarthritis can damage any
joint, the disorder most commonly affects joints
in your hands, knees, hips and spine.
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS:
An autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis occurs when
your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body's tissues.
Unlike the wear-and-tear damage of rheumatoid arthritis
affects the lining of your joints, causing a painful swelling that
can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity.
5. GOUT:
It's characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness
and tenderness in one or more joints, most often in the big toe.
ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS:
Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory
disease that, over time, can cause some of the
bones in the spine (vertebrae) to fuse. This
fusing makes the spine less flexible and can
result in a hunched posture.
JUVENILE IDIOPATHIC ARTHRITIS:
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis, formerly known as juvenile rheumatoid
arthritis, is the most common type of arthritis in children under the age of
16. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis can cause persistent joint pain, swelling
and stiffness.
6. EPIDEMIOLOGY
Over one-third of the American population has arthritis on imaging,
and this number is bound to increase with the mean population age.
Of the arthritides, osteoarthritis is most prevalent. Between 19%
and 30% of adults over the age of 45 years have knee osteoarthritis
27% have osteoarthritis of the hand, and 27% have osteoarthritis of
the hip. It is estimated that 40% of men and 47% of women will
develop osteoarthritis in their lifetime, with the incidence
increasing to 60%.
Gout is the most common inflammatory arthritis in the United
States, affecting more than 8 million individuals in the United
States with a prevalence of 3.9%, with a prevalence of more than
9% in individuals over 60 years of age.
7. CAUSES
Wear and tear of a joint
Previous injury
Muscle weakness
Autoimmune disorders
Abnormal metabolism
Inheritance
9. SYMPTOMS
Joint pain
Swelling and stiffness
Tenderness
Redness
Warmth in joints
Decrease range of motion
Joint deformity
Numbness and tingling
10. DIAGNOSIS
Laboratory tests:
The analysis of different types of body fluids can help pinpoint the type
of arthritis you may have.
Imaging:
These types of tests can detect problems within the joint that may be
causing your symptoms.
X-rays,
Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI),
Ultrasound.
12. SURGERY APPROACH:
Joint repair: In some instances, joint surfaces can be smoothed or
realigned to reduce pain and improve function. These types of procedures
can often be performed arthroscopically through small incisions over the
joint.
Joint replacement: This procedure removes the damaged joint and replaces
it with an artificial one. Joints most commonly replaced are hips and knees.
Joint fusion: This procedure is more often used for smaller joints, such as
those in the wrist, ankle and fingers.
13. Alternative medicine:
Acupuncture: This therapy uses fine needles inserted at specific points
on the skin to reduce many types of pain, including that caused by some
types of arthritis.
Glucosamine: Glucosamine relieved osteoarthritis pain better than taking
nothing, particularly in people who have moderate to severe pain from
knee osteoarthritis.
Yoga and tai chi: The slow, stretching movements associated with yoga
and tai chi may help improve joint flexibility and range of motion.
Massage: Light stroking and kneading of muscles may increase blood
flow and warm affected joints, temporarily relieving pain. Make sure your
massage therapist knows which joints are affected by arthritis.
14. NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT:
Weight loss: Excess weight puts extra stress on weight-bearing
joints. Losing weight may increase your mobility and limit
future joint injury.
Exercise: Regular exercise can help keep joints flexible.
Swimming and water aerobics may be good choices because the
buoyancy of the water reduces stress on weight-bearing joints.
Heat and cold: Heating pads or ice packs may help relieve
arthritis pain.
Assistive devices: Using canes, shoe inserts, walkers, raised
toilet seats, and other assistive devices can help protect joints
and improve your ability to perform daily tasks.
15. Eating a healthful diet: a balanced diet can help you achieve a
healthy weight and control inflammation. Choose whole plant foods
that are high in antioxidants and that have anti-inflammatory
properties.
Improving sleep: poor sleep can aggravate arthritis pain and fatigue.
Take steps to improve sleep hygiene so you find it easier to fall
asleep and stay asleep. Avoid caffeine and strenuous exercise in the
evenings and restrict screen-time just before sleeping.
16. CONCLUSION
In conclusion, arthritis affects millions of adults and only a few types
can be cured. That said, the focus of arthritis treatment must then be
on slowing the progression of the disease and controlling the
symptoms. By doing so, you preserve joint function and decrease the
severity of the disease.
The treating physician should consider adhering to treat-to-target
(T2T) recommendations, by first outlining the aims and then
implementing the protocols to achieve and assess them. Furthermore,
early referral to a specialist can help to ensure better treatment
outcomes.
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