Arthritis is inflammation of a joint —
the point where two or more bones meet. There are more than 100
different diseases that are classified as arthritis — all
of which may cause pain, swelling, and limited movement in joints
and connective tissues in the body.
In arthritis, inflammation occurs in the damaged
area of a joint. Damage may be caused by any number of conditions,
including trauma, infection, neurogenic disturbances, degenerative
joint disease, metabolic disturbances, or for unknown reasons. Symptoms
of inflammation include redness and warmth in the area of the
injury, swelling, and pain.
Arthritis is usually chronic, which means
that it rarely changes, or it progresses slowly. Specific causes
for most forms of arthritis are not yet known.
Common Arthritis Diagnoses
The three most common forms of arthritis include the following:
Osteoarthritis
is the most common type of arthritis. It is a chronic disease
involving the joints, particularly the weight-bearing joints
such as the knee, hip, and spine. Osteoarthritis is characterized
by the following:
Destruction of cartilage
Overgrowth of bone
Spur formation
Impaired function
It occurs in most people as they age,
but also may occur in young people as a result of injury or
overuse.
Fibromyalgia
is a chronic, widespread pain in muscles and soft tissues surrounding
the joints throughout the body.
Rheumatoid
arthritis is an inflammatory disease that involves the
lining of the joint (synovium). The inflammation often affects
the joints of the hands and the feet and tends to occur equally
on both sides of the body.
Symptoms
The following are the most common symptoms of arthritis. However,
each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms
may include:
Pain and stiffness in the joints
Swelling in one or more joints
Continuing or recurring pain or tenderness
in a joint
Difficulty using or moving a joint in a
normal manner
Warmth and redness in a joint
The symptoms of arthritis may resemble other
medical conditions or problems. Always consult your physician
for a diagnosis.
If you are a Munson Healthcare patient and have a compliment,
concern, or complaint, please contact one of our Patient
Liaisons.
