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Arthritis is an illness that can make movement difficult by causing pain and swelling in the joints. These problems may be caused by inflammation or swelling.
The two most common types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is the most common. It usually comes with age and affects the fingers, knees, and hips. Sometimes osteoarthritis affects a joint that has been previously injured.
Rheumatoid arthritis happens when the body's own defense system doesn't work properly. It affects joints, bones, and organs--often the hands and feet.
Other conditions can also cause arthritis, such as gout, lupus, and viral hepatitis.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT OSTEOARTHRITIS
Osteoarthritis is also called arthritis. Another name for it is degenerative joint disease. There is usually cartilage covering the bone ends in each joint. This cartilage cushions the joint when it moves. In arthritis, this cartilage slowly wears away. In some cases, a bone "spur" may grow in the joint. The bone spur causes inflammation or pain, swelling, and redness.
Arthritis is usually more painful in the joints that bear weight, such as the feet, knee, hip, and spine (back and neck). But, it is also painful in the fingers, wrist, elbow, and shoulder joints. Many people get arthritis as they age. If you are over 50 years old you have a greater chance of getting arthritis. Arthritis is a life-long condition.
Causes: The exact cause of osteoarthritis is not known. If you have had one or more of the following problems you are more likely to get arthritis.
- A bone or joint injury sometime in the past.
- Diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
- Overuse of your joints at work or during sports.
- Overweight.
Signs and Symptoms: In the early stages of arthritis you may not have any symptoms. With time you will slowly begin to have deep aching pain in your joints. This pain is often worse after exercise or weight bearing, such as walking. The pain may lessen with rest. Cold and damp weather may make your aching worse. You may feel swelling, stiffness, and have less motion in your joints. When you move your joints, you may hear a cracking sound. Usually, there is no fever, redness, or heat in your joints.
Care: The goal of treatment for osteoarthritis is to lessen pain, and improve strength and how well you can move. You will first be checked by your caregiver. X-rays may be needed to see how far along the damage is inside the joint.
- Caregivers may suggest medicine to lessen pain and inflammation, such as aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen. These medicines may be bought as over-the-counter medicine at grocery stores and drug stores. You may be given shots of medicine called steroids to decrease inflammation for a short time. Long-term steroid injections can cause damage to the joint and have other bad side effects.
- Caregivers may suggest that you use a cane, crutches, a walker, or a splint. These can help lessen stress and strain on the effected joint. Some exercises and heat may help decrease stiffness and strengthen the weak muscles around the joint. When other treatments are no longer effective, caregivers may suggest surgery. Surgery can be used to remove the damaged joint cartilage, or replace or fuse the entire joint.
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