Every year on October 12, World Arthritis Day (WAD) is observed to raise awareness of the prevalence and effects of rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders. More than a hundred disorders that affect the joints are together referred to as arthritis. It may result in swelling in or near a joint, which can cause discomfort, stiffness, and occasionally causes trouble in movement.
Types of Arthritis
The umbrella word "arthritis" covers more than 100 distinct joint disorders. The most prevalent forms of arthritis consist of:
Also known as "wear and tear" arthritis, occurs when repeated stress causes joint cartilage to deteriorate. The most typical type of arthritis is this one.
Spinal arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis affects your lower back.
It is a condition when the immune system attacks the tissue surrounding joints. In most cases, JA as the name implies affects children aged 16 or younger.
It is a condition that results in the formation of uric acid crystals in your joints.
A form of joint inflammation that appears in psoriasis sufferers (autoimmune disorder that causes skin irritation).
An illness called rheumatoid arthritis makes your immune system attack the synovial membranes in your joints.
What Are The Common Causes Of Arthritis?
There are various causes of different forms of arthritis. For instance, having too much uric acid in your body can cause gout. However, the precise cause of various forms of arthritis is still not known. It's possible to get arthritis if you:
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Age
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Injuries
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Obesity
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Muscle weakness
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Have a history of arthritis in your family.
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Have a profession or participate in an activity that repeatedly strains your joints.
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Have specific viral infections or autoimmune disorders.
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Poor Lifestyle: people who smoke or have a sedentary lifestyle are at high risk of developing arthritis.
Symptoms of Arthritis
Different arthritis types cause various symptoms. They can vary greatly in severity between individuals. Joint soreness may be intermittent or persistent. Typical signs include:
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Pain\Redness
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Stiffness
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Swelling
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Tenderness
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Morning stiffness
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Limited range of motion
Visit our orthopaedic hospital in Jaipur for treatment if you are experiencing the above-mentioned symptoms.
How is it Diagnosed?
The first step to the diagnosis of arthritis is a thorough physical examination by an experienced orthopaedician. Your doctor will check for tell-tale signs of arthritis along with testing the mobility of your joints in simple movement. They will record your feedback and pain perception while doing routine movements of the joints and then prescribe diagnostic tests accordingly.
One of the preliminary tests for bone-related issues is an X-Ray. Using low doses of radiation, this technique helps visualize the bones of a person, and doctors can decipher any major underlying issues with the bone structure which may be indicative of arthritis. X-Ray is more commonly used to detect issues of the Bones, Cartilage, Cracks, Fractures, Spurs and can be helpful in tracking the progression of arthritis treatment.
CT-Scan works like an X-Ray with the added advantage of computation. Multiple X-Rays taken in the form of sections or slides are put together to create a 3D model of the insides of a person. This helps the doctor visualize the bone structure and assess the surrounding soft tissue, thus enabling better treatment planning.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging uses strong magnetic fields to help visualize the soft tissues around bones such as Cartilage, Ligaments, and Tendons.
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to help visualize the internal structures of the body. It is a useful technique for the guided treatment of joint inflammation for fluid draining, injection guiding, etc.
Treatments for Arthritis
There are various forms of treatment available for arthritis depending upon the age of the patient, extent of disease progression, level of pain perception and routine activity of the patient.
The doctor may prescribe medication in the form of ointments for pain relief.
Other forms of medication may be Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) to provide relief from inflammation. Stronger forms of these drugs could lead to side effects, especially for the stomach and heart, make sure you always take the medication with prior consultation of an experienced medical practitioner.
Other forms of therapy include the use of Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDS). While effective, these drug therapies can expose you to the risk of a host of other infections, hence, proper consultation by an experienced practitioner is a must.
In conclusion, Arthritis is a manageable condition, which can be reversed with proper medical treatment, if diagnosed timely. Multiple diagnostic and treatment options are now available for one to choose from depending on their level of comfort and lifestyle. Our team of expert orthopaedics are some of the best orthopaedician in Jaipur, for all bone-related conditions and ailments. Book an appointment today to learn more and get yourself checked. Preventive care is the best care.
Dr. B R Bagaria
Consultant - Orthopaedics(Joint Replacement & Arthroscopic Surgery)
Manipal Hospitals, Jaipur
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