Details of Arthritis

Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints. It can either joint or sometimes multiple joints as well. It has two most known types although there are more than hundred types of Arthritis.

1. Osteoarthritis. It involves wear-and-tear damage to your joint's cartilage.
2. Rheumatoid arthritis. In this, the immune system of the body attacks the lining of the joint capsule. Basically, in this problem patient suffers from swelling and tenderness in joints. This affects old age people who are over 60 of their age.

May include:

• Pain
• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Redness
• Decreased range of motion

May be asked for:

• Lab tests
• Imaging tests including CT, MRI, X-rays and Ultrasound

Nonsurgical treatments

Painkillers: This can help you in pain but can not reduce inflammation.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: This can help you in pain and inflammation control. But should be taken with blood thinners.

Counterirritants: These are some kind of creams which help control the transmission of pain signals from the joint itself.

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: It is particular for rheumatoid arthritis to prevent immune system from attacking the joints.

Corticosteroids: It can be taken orally or can be injected directly into the painful joint.

Surgical treatments

Joint repair: For which joints can be realigned to reduce pain and inflammation through a arthroscopic procedure.

Joint replacement: In which the diseased joint is replaced with an artificial one.

Joint fusion: This is comparatively for smaller joints where the ends of the two bones in the joint are removed and then locked.

Which may increase risks:

• Gender
• Age
• Obesity
• Genetic history
• Previous joint injury