Arthritis (from Greek
arthro-, joint +
-itis, inflammation; plural: arthritides) is a group of
conditions involving damage to the
joints of
the body.
There are over 100 different forms of arthritis. The most common
form,
osteoarthritis (degenerative
joint disease) is a result of trauma to the joint, infection of the
joint, or age. Other arthritis forms are
rheumatoid arthritis,
psoriatic arthritis, and
autoimmune diseases in which the body
attacks itself.
Septic arthritis is
caused by joint
infection.
Gouty arthritis is caused by deposition of
uric acid crystals in the joint, causing
inflammation. There is also an uncommon form of gout caused 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 may
differ depending on the arthritides and the location. Rheumatoid
arthritis is generally worse in the morning and associated with
stiffness; in the early stages, patients often have no symptoms
after a morning shower. In the aged and children, pain might not be
the main presenting feature; the aged patient simply moves less,
the infantile patient refuses to use the affected limb.
Elements of the history of the disorder guide diagnosis. Important
features are speed and time of onset, pattern of joint involvement,
symmetry of symptoms, early morning stiffness, tenderness, gelling
or locking with inactivity, aggravating and relieving factors, and
other systemic symptoms. Physical examination may confirm the
diagnosis, or may indicate systemic disease. Radiographs are often
used to follow progression or assess severity in a more
quantitative manner.
Blood tests and
X-rays of the affected joints often are performed to
make the diagnosis. Screening blood tests are indicated if certain
arthritides are suspected. These might include:
rheumatoid factor,
antinuclear factor (ANF),
extractable nuclear antigen, and
specific antibodies.
Types of arthritis
Primary forms of arthritis:
Secondary to other diseases:
Diseases that can mimic arthritis include:
Treatment
Treatment options vary depending on the type of arthritis and
include
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) may be required in eroding forms of
arthritis.
In general, studies have shown that physical exercise of the
affected joint can have noticeable improvement in terms of
long-term pain relief. Furthermore, exercise of the arthritic joint
is encouraged to maintain the health of the particular joint and
the overall body of the person.
History
While evidence of primary ankle (kaki) osteoarthritis has been
discovered in dinosaurs, the first known traces of human arthritis
date back as far as
4500 BC. In early
reports, arthritis was frequently referred to as the most common
ailment of prehistoric peoples.
It was noted in skeletal remains of Native Americans found
in Tennessee
and parts of what is now Olathe, Kansas
.
Evidence
of arthritis has been found throughout history, from Ötzi, a mummy
(circa 3000 BC) found along the border of modern Italy
and Austria
, to the
Egyptian mummies circa 2590 BC .
In 1715
William Musgrave published
the second edition of his most important medical work
De
arthritide symptomatica which concerned arthritis and its
effects.
See also
References
- WebMd Arthritis Basics
- Swash, M, Glynn, M.(eds). 2007. Hutchison's Clinical Methods.
Edinburgh. Saunders Elsevier.
- Alick Cameron, ‘Musgrave, William (1655–1721)’, Oxford
Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Sept
2004
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