Arthritis occurs as a result of joint inflammation. While there are over 100 diseases and conditions that are specifically related to the joints and other diseases that affect the body such as fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, gout and bursitis, the most common forms are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Symptoms
The primary symptoms of this disease involve pain and stiffness of the joints. This is often accompanied by swelling, reduced range of motion and redness in the affected area.
Causes and Risk Factors
Many types of this painful condition are age-related, as the risk for developing arthritis significantly increases with age. Obesity is another risk factor, since being overweight places a considerable amount of stress on the body. Other risk factors include genetics and a previous injury to the affected area.
While joint damage is the main element in the development of arthritis, the two main types of this condition differ in terms of the amount of damage they inflict on the body. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease, which means that joint damage occurs over time and as a result of every day wear-and-tear on areas such as knees, hips and hands. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system damages the joints within the body, particularly the synovium, which is the protective lining that surrounds the joints.
Diagnosis
Arthritis doctors in Brooklyn and others who specialize in these diseases utilize a variety of techniques to make a diagnosis of these diseases. X-rays are used to see any damage that occurs to bones and cartilage. CT scanners and MRI are used to gain a clearer image of the bodily structures and look for any damage or abnormalities within bone, soft tissue, tendons, ligaments and cartilage.
Treatment
A variety of treatments are used which can help with improving range of motion and reducing the amount of pain that is felt. Pain relievers or analgesics such as Tylenol, Tramadol, Percocet and Vicodin are often prescribed to alleviate any pain that is associated with arthritis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs are often prescribed by many rheumatologists since they are effective at reducing both the inflammation and pain associated with this disease. NSAIDs can be obtained over-the-counter and include Motrin, Advil and Aleve.
Corticosteroids, such as prednisone and cortisone, are used to treat inflammation and restrain the immune system. These are either injected into the body or taken as a pill or tablet. Physical therapy is often effective at increasing range of motion and decreasing pain. Hot or cold packs are alternative methods for pain relief. If conservative methods are not productive in treating arthritis, surgery is often the next step to take.
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