Arthritis Types and Their Causes
There are different kinds of arthritis and their causes. Each type can be treated in a slightly different way. To learn more, read the following information. Arthritis is one of the most common conditions that affects older people, but it’s not the only one. There are other types of arthritis that affect younger people, including juvenile idiopathic rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Depending on the specific type of arthritis, treatment can vary greatly.
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of joint disease. It affects the entire joint, including bone, cartilage, ligaments, and muscles. This type of arthritis is not caused by normal wear and tear, but instead results from the joint working extra hard to repair itself. Rheumatoid arthritis, which also causes joint pain, is a rheumatic disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the joint lining. This causes the joints to be inflamed, which damages them.
Osteoarthritis can be treated with anti-inflammatory medications. Physical therapy, exercises, and proper nutrition can also help. When conservative measures have failed to provide relief, joint replacement surgery may be the best option. Joint replacement surgery can be performed on a joint, replace a damaged one, repair a damaged joint, and release trapped nerves. The most common surgery for arthritis is joint replacement. However, there are some complications associated with this surgery.
Osteoarthritis is a condition caused by overuse of the joints. This condition typically affects people over the age of 50, but obesity may contribute as well. Being overweight puts extra stress on the joints and can worsen symptoms. Osteoarthritis results in a loss of the body’s shock absorber, cartilage, which is the slippery material covering the end of the bones. Since extra weight increases the pressure on the cartilage, the joint has less cushioning.
Laboratory tests can confirm or rule out a diagnosis of arthritis. High doses of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs are typically the first line of treatment. Some people may recover on their own within a year or so, but for others, the disease may require aggressive treatment. Inflammatory arthritis is very debilitating, so it’s important to seek treatment early if possible. Your doctor will use several tests to determine the type of arthritis you have.
Psoriatic arthritis is another form of inflammatory arthritis. People with psoriasis are at a high risk for the condition. Inflammatory arthritis is painful and results in scaly patches on the body. Psoriasis affects both men and women and is often accompanied by other symptoms of psoriasis. If you have any of these symptoms, see a rheumatologist as soon as possible.
Osteoarthritis affects three joints below the heel: the talonavicular joint, the calcaneocuboid joint, and the subtalar joint. Because these joints carry the body’s weight, arthritis in these joints can limit a person’s range of motion and cause significant pain. Some people suffer from osteoarthritis that causes them to have difficulty walking and may need surgery to relieve their symptoms.