Arthritis – the basics

Arthritis is a group of over 100 medical conditions that have joint pain and stiffness as their primary symptoms. More than 50 million adults and 300,000 children have some type of arthritis. Arthritis effects people of all ages, sexes and races and is the leading cause of disability in America. It is more common in women than men and occurs more frequently and becomes more severe as people get older. The treatment of arthritis depends on the underlying cause but all treatments Share the goals of reducing joint pain and improving the function of the effected joints and improve patients’ quality of life.

The term “arthritis comes from two words in Greek: “arthon” which means joint and “-itis” which means inflammation. So arthritis is inflammation of the joints. Effected joints may exhibit pain, swelling, stiffness redness and decreased range of motion. The two main types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It is caused by the wearing down of the cartilage which is a cushioning material at the ends of the bone that allow the bones to glide smoothly. Wear and tear on the cartilage causes it to thin or even be worn away completely. Once the cartilage is gone the bones rub directly on each other causing pain and limiting motion and activity. Symptoms are usually least in the morning – after the joint has not been used for a number of hours. The symptoms get worse the more the involved joint is used during the day. The hips and knees are frequently affected by osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is the form that occurs when your immune system incorrectly attacks the tissue that lines your joints – the synovial tissue. The synovial tissue becomes inflamed – swollen and painful. Overtime the inflammation can cause destruction of the cartilage and bone causing the joint to be deformed and unable to function. The stiffness in the joints is often worse in the morning and improves as the joint is used.

The diagnosis of arthritis is based on your description of which joints are causing you discomfort or ate stiff and not working properly. Your provider will examine the joints looking for swelling, redness, warmth and deformity. Blood tests may be ordered to establish the cause of your arthritis – e.g., rheumatoid arthritis or gout. Sometimes it may be necessary to draw fluid out of the joint to make the final diagnosis.

Imaging studies are used to detect arthritis and to describe its extent and severity. X-rays are usually the first studies done to visualize the bones and cartilage of the joint. They will show damage and deformity in established disease but are not good for detecting arthritis in its early stages. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) gives the most detailed look at the joints. It images not only the bone and cartilage but also the tendons and ligaments that surround the joints. Your provider will use laboratory and radiology information to diagnose the cause of the arthritis and determine the best treatment for you.