Medical Author: Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD
Medically Reviewed on 1/26/2022
Doctor's Notes on Arthritis
Arthritis is a joint disorder that features inflammation of the joint. Signs and symptoms of arthritis include pain and limited function of joints. Any joint can develop arthritis; the pain may be intermittent or constant. Many of the forms of arthritis can cause signs and symptoms in various organs. Consequently, in addition to joint problems, certain forms of arthritis can also have signs and symptoms that include
- fever,
- lymph gland swelling,
- fatigue,
- weight loss,
- malaise, and
- be related to abnormalities in organs such as the lungs, heart, and/or kidneys.
Causes of arthritis depends upon the underlying problems or forms that trigger the disease. Causes include injury (overuse of joints), metabolism (gout), genetics and/or inheritance (osteoarthritis), infection (Lyme disease), immune mediated (rheumatoid arthritis), and systemic lupus erythematosus). Arthritis is classified as rheumatic disease; there are many forms of arthritis as over 100 have been described.
What Are the Treatments for Arthritis?
Treatment of arthritis vary, but all types are designed to relieve pain and improve joint functions. There are three general treatments; more than one type is often used:
- Medications with examples
- NSAIDs: ibuprofen, naproxen
- Counterirritants: capsaicin, menthol
- Steroids: prednisone
- DMARDs (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs): methotrexate, sulfasalazine
- Therapy: exercises to improve strength and range of motion
- Surgery
- Joint repair: realignment of joints
- Joint replacement: artificial joints replace diseased joints
- Fusion of joint: removal of ends of bones that make a joint and then fusing the ends to make a rigid bone that does not have any joint activity (usually only done with small joints like fingers)
Your doctor can suggest the best treatments for your condition.
Rheumatoid Arthritis : What is Rheumatoid Arthritis? Quiz
QuestionThe term arthritis refers to stiffness in the joints.
See AnswerMust Read Articles:
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5 Home Remedies to Improve Osteoarthritis Symptoms
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Chondromalacia Patella (Patellofemoral Syndrome)
Chondromalacia patella (patellofemoral syndrome) is degeneration of the cartilage underneath the kneecap. Symptoms of chondromalacia patella include knee pain and a feeling of tightness or fullness. Treatment involves avoiding activities that irritate the cartilage under the kneecap, ice packs, anti-inflammatory medications,physical therapy, and stretching. -
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is pain that persists for a period of six months or longer, and is the result of a long-standing medical condition(s) or damage to the body. Common sources of chronic pain include headaches, back pain, and arthritis. There are several types of pain including general somatic pain, visceral pain, bone pain, muscle cramps, neuropathy, circulatory problems, and headache pain. Chronic pain may be managed with over-the-counter or prescription medications. -
Gout
Gout is characterized by abnormal uric acid metabolism. Symptoms and signs include a red, hot, swollen joint, and acute pain. Medications for the treatment of gout include NSAIDs, colchicine, corticosteroids, probenecid, allopurinol, and febuxostat. Staying hydrated as well as elevating and applying ice packs to the swollen joint may help to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. -
Joint Pain
Joint pain can be caused by injury or disease affecting any of the ligaments, bursae, or tendons surrounding the joint. Pain also occurs with joint inflammation (arthritis) and infection. Joint pain symptoms can be associated with local warmth, swelling, and tenderness. Treatment depends on the cause and can include rest, cold applications, medications, physical therapy, or surgery. -
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis)
Rheumatoid arthritis, often called RA, is a chronic (long-standing) disease that damages and eventually destroys the joints of the body. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), or juvenile arthritis, is not a single disease but a group of diseases. Symptoms and signs include fever and joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. Treatment focuses on relieving pain, improving function, and preventing joint damage. -
Knee Joint Replacement
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Knee Pain
Knee pain has a wide variety of causes and treatments. Home care for knee pain includes protecting the knee from further trauma, in addition to resting, icing, compressing, and elevating the knee. In order to diagnose knee pain, the doctor may need to perform a physical exam; get a diagnosis with an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI; remove fluid; perform blood tests; or perform an arthroscopy. Treatment of knee pain depends upon the cause of the knee pain. -
Lumbar Disc Disease
Lumbar disc disease refers to three degenerative diseases that may cause low back pain: internal disc disruption, degenerative disc disease, and segmental instability. Symptoms include lower back pain that lasts more than six weeks, pain that worsens over time and with motion, and pain in the buttocks and thighs. Treatment may involve medications, surgery, or physical therapy. -
Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement
Minimally invasive knee replacement is surgery performed with smaller incisions, which reduces the trauma to the tissue, reduces pain, and shortens recovery time. Risks include nerve injury, blood clots, fracture, blood loss, infection after surgery, and improper placement of the components. -
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is not a single disease but a culmination of problems that leads to skeletal joint failure. Symptoms include aching, stiffness, and bone enlargement. Diet, exercise, pain medication, and sometimes surgery treat osteoarthritis. -
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a specific autoimmune condition in which a person has both psoriasis and arthritis. Some psoriatic arthritis symptoms and signs include scaly red skin on certain areas of the body, nail changes, eye inflammation, iritis, and inflammation of the muscles and tendons where they connect to the bone. There are a variety of psoriatic arthritis types. The goal of psoriatic arthritis treatment medications and lifestyle changes is to control inflammation. -
Remicade Infusion (Reumatoid Arthritis)
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Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Rheumatoid arthritis (often called RA) is a chronic (long-standing) disease that damages the joints of the body. Symptoms and signs of rheumatoid arthritis include joint pain, swelling, inflammation, stiffness, warmth, muscle aches, weakness, fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, and malaise. Treatment may involve physical therapy, occupational therapy, hydrotherapy, heat and cold treatments, joint replacements, and medications. -
Rheumatoid Arthritis Medications
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Steroids: Types and Side Effects
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What Is the Main Cause of Gout?
Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that causes pain and swelling in the joints. Gout may develop in some people who have a chronic condition characterized by high levels of a substance called urate (uric acid) in the blood (hyperuricemia), though not everyone with hyperuricemia develops gout.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.